COLORADO SPRINGS — Despite getting the green light from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, CHSAA's Board of Directors voted unanimously to stick with their approved sports plan and not reconsider a fall football season Tuesday evening.
In August, CHSAA announced that high school athletics would be split into four seasons and sports teams' schedules will be shortened under the calendar for the year. All contact sports, including football, will be played in the C sports season (spring), as originally outlined with football practices starting Feb. 22 and concluding on May 8 “due to the specific equipment and safety rules.”
In a press release sent out Wednesday, the board noted player safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, not undermining "return-to-learn" models, student involvement in other school-based activities, and Title IX/gender-based issues as the major reasons for their decision.
"I commend the CHSAA Board of Directors for reaching out to their respective districts and listening to our membership," CHSAA Board President Troy Baker said. "The result of their action gave clear direction and support of the plan approved in August. Our decision aligns with the CHSAA mission and we are happy that all students get to play a season during the 2021 school year, our board and association stand united in this decision."
CHSAA said it would also continue meeting with the governor's staff, health officials and COVID-19 response team to implement the calendar moving forward.
One of the most vocal groups in the push to bring high school football back this fall, LetCOPlay, stated today that several local high school football teams would be protesting the decision Friday afternoon across the state.
The peaceful protest in Colorado Springs is set to take place at the El Paso County Commissioner's Office at 3:30 p.m.
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