NY high school sports: STAC, IAC shut down sports until 2021 due to COVID restrictions

Kevin Stevens
Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin

The Southern Tier Athletic Conference on Sunday shelved sports until 2021, a day after the Interscholastic Athletic Conference divulged plans to do similar.

The following statement from Kevin McGoff, STAC’s executive director:

“The Southern Tier Athletic Conference (STAC) has agreed to postpone all league play and follow the NYSPHSAA condensed fall, winter, and spring seasons beginning January 4, 2021. Superintendents, athletic directors, and league officials from across the entire league discussed multiple scenarios."

Districts and leagues around the state have been working to reschedule sports schedules since Aug. 24, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo authorized most fall sports to begin Sept. 21. However, the state allowed individual districts to determine the fate of their own school teams, as schools continue to adjust to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns.

On Wednesday, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced it was postponing high-risk sports — football, volleyball and cheerleading — until March 1. 

“Student health and safety were major concerns leading to the decision along with the late start and potential for a canceled season if schools must close this fall," McGoff said in his statement. "With a January 4 start, the hope is all athletic seasons can begin, and end as scheduled and still include section and state level competition. While a difficult decision, resumption of all student activities, including athletics is our hope with focus on reopening schools our immediate focus.

STAC golf championship at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University, Tuesday, October 15, 2019.

“The Southern Tier Athletic Conference will continue to work with NYSPHSAA, Health Departments and governmental authorities to gather additional information, evaluate emerging data and technologies, and monitor developments regarding the pandemic to make the best decisions possible for the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes.”

STAC, founded in 1966 with 12 member schools, presently has 17 members: Binghamton, Chenango Forks, Chenango Valley, Corning, Elmira, Horseheads, Ithaca, Johnson City, Maine-Endwell, Norwich, Oneonta, Owego, Seton Catholic Central, Susquehanna Valley, Union-Endicott, Vestal, Windsor.

IAC members: Candor, Dryden, Elmira Notre Dame, Elmira Heights, Groton, Lansing, Marathon, Moravia, Newfield, Newark Valley, Odessa-Montour, Southern Cayuga, Spencer-Van Etten, Tioga Central, Trumansburg, Union Springs, Watkins Glen, Waverly, Whitney Point.

The following statement from Bill Bryant, IAC executive director:

“During these unprecedented times with COVID impacting our lives in many ways, one group dealing with that impact is our student athletes. It is therefore incredibly difficult to make changes to traditional athletic schedules in our schools.  But we are in the midst of a pandemic and the most important consideration when making any decision, is the safety of our young people. It is also important for our student athletes, parents and communities to have accurate information.

“On Friday, September 11, the athletic directors of the IAC voted to postpone the Fall 2020 sports season until March of 2021. This means that the IAC will follow the condensed three-sport season for all sports as established by NYSPHSAA. The winter season will start at the beginning of January 2021 (there is a possibility it may begin on November 30), the fall sport season will begin in March 2021 and the spring sport season will begin in April 2021.

"Specific dates will be determined by the NYSPHSAA."

Follow Kevin Stevens on Twitter @PSBKevin. Support our journalism and become a digital subscriber today. Click here for our special offers.