On July 29, 2020, the IHSA Board of Directors released the athletic seasons for the 2020-21 academic year. Please read the information below as there are many changes that have been made in order to provide our student-athletes with their respective competitive seasons.
We will continue to work diligently and remain flexible in providing our student-athletes the opportunity to compete while adhering to IDPH, DuPage County, and IHSA safety guidelines. Although it is different and will have its challenges in requiring adjustments, we are extremely grateful that it appears we will have each of our sports seasons in the 2020-21 academic year
Return to Activities 1.0
On July 29th, 2020, the IHSA Board modified the Return to Activities to reflect the following:
Certain fall sports will not be allowed to happen in the fall; as a result the IHSA calendar will be adjusted with the following tentative timelines.
• Teams will play shortened regular season schedules in Winter, Spring, and Summer
• State Series events for all sports will be determined on a sport by sport basis.
• Activities that can happen virtually can remain in their traditional seasons.
• Activities that can’t happen virtually could potentially need to adjust their seasons.
• On July 29th, 2020, the IHSA Board modified the current Phase 4 Return to Play Guidelines to allow for fall contact days to begin on Monday of Week 10 (September 7, 2020) and continue until the end of Week 17 (October 31, 2020). There is a 20-day limit on contact days during that time period for any sport not in season.
Fall (August 10 – October 24, 2020 in “traditional” season)
Boys & Girls Golf – in groups of 50 or less where multiple groups are distanced a minimum of 30 ft apart. Competitions should be within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
Girls Tennis – in groups of 50 or less where multiple groups are distanced a minimum of 30 ft apart. Competitions should be within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
Boys & Girls Cross Country – in groups of 50 or less where multiple groups are distanced a minimum of 30 ft apart. Competitions should be within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
Girls Swimming & Diving – less than 50 in attendance with multiple groups distancing 30 ft. apart. Competitions should be within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
- Spectator and group gatherings subject to IDPH guidelines during this time (less than 50 participants, social distancing, etc…).
NOTE: Football, Girls Volleyball and Boys Soccer moved to a Spring 2021 season – See Below.
If a school does not have a girls’ volleyball and/or a boys’ football team, schools may conduct Softball and Baseball seasons respectively in accordance with current IHSA By-laws 5.010 and 5.260.
- Spectator and group gatherings subject to IDPH guidelines for outside activities.
Winter (November 16 – February 13, 2021)
Boys & Girls Basketball
Wrestling
Boys Swimming & Diving
Competitive Cheerleading
Competitive Dance
Boys & Girls Bowling
Girls Gymnastic
- Contests can begin Nov. 30 within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
- Schools limited to a maximum of 2 contests per week and no tournaments/events of more than teams.
- Spectator and group gatherings subject to IDPH guidelines during this time.
- State Series TBD.
Spring (February 15 – May 1, 2021)
Football
Boys Soccer
Girls Volleyball
Girls Badminton
Boys Gymnastics
Boys & Girls Water Polo
- Contests can begin March 1 in all sports except football which may begin on March 5 to allow for acclimatization.
- Schools limited to a maximum of 2 contests per week and no tournaments/events of more than 3 teams. (Football is allowed one game/week)
- Spectator and group gatherings subject to IDPH guidelines during this time.
- State Series TBD.
- Football: Schools should anticipate a 7 game regular season followed by a regional post season at minimum.
Summer (May 3 – June 26, 2021)
Baseball
Softball
Boys and Girls Track & Field
Girls Soccer
Boys Volleyball
Boys & Girls Lacrosse
Boys Tennis
- Contests can begin on May 17
- Maximum of 2 events per week. (exception: baseball/softball can play 3 games in a given week if one of the events is a DH)
- Spectator and group gatherings subject to IDPH guidelines during this time.
- State Series TBD.