In consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) recently announced adjusted dates for the beginning of fall sports. The UIL gave the go-ahead for 1A through 4A district football and volleyball practices to begin Aug. 3. Schools in Texas’ 5A and 6A districts will begin practice Sept. 7.
Football in the 1A through 4A districts will begin Aug. 27 and in the 5A and 6A conferences on Sept. 24. Volleyball for 1A through 4A districts will begin Aug. 10 and Sept. 14 will be the first day of the volleyball season for 5A and 6A districts.
Start dates for the tennis and cross-country seasons will be Aug. 17 for the smaller districts and Sept. 7 for 5A and 6A programs.
The intent behind staggered start dates is to benefit schools in the more highly-populated areas, 5A and 6A districts, where the communities are faced with the more widespread occurrence of the virus. Small schools, primarily1A through 4A in smaller communities, are not facing the same challenges and will be allowed to start the fall sports season as originally scheduled.
Sachse High School Campus Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Mark “Red” Behrens agrees that safety is the most important consideration.
“These are challenging times for everyone, and we’re just trying to make the best of it. We want to take care of our students and give them the best and safest season possible,” he said. “Plans have changed several times, but all we can do is keep preparing.”
In a press release, officials from the UIL said, “Acknowledging the situation is not always clear-cut and that COVID-19 affects every community differently, the plan also allows for local flexibility and encourages districts to plan for possible interruptions in order to complete district seasons.”
The UIL’s COVID-19 safety guidelines for the school year include information for settings such as band halls and locker rooms and other group activities, as well as protocol for spectators, media and concession stands.
These guidelines provided by the UIL are to be implemented in addition to those set forth by the Texas Education Agency.
“With the understanding that not all schools will be able to start at the same time, this plan allows for schools to make playing decisions at the local level, and the UIL will work directly with schools that have scheduling issues not addressed in this plan to allow them the flexibility to complete as many contests as possible,” UIL officials said in the press release.