As a result of COVID-19, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has delayed the start of the fall sports for the 2020-2021 season. The pandemic has forced the CIF to push back the fall and winter sports to December.
Sports such as cross country, football, volleyball, and water polo are all now required to start practices on or after Dec. 12. However, local health authorities may allow teams to hold pre-season practices depending on the health concerns in the area. If the schedule is not altered, these sports will begin competition in late December and early January and will culminate in early March with playoffs.
The Loyola Athletic Department is working to start practices as early as possible while still maintaining the safety of the athletes, coaches, and staff.
According to Loyola’s Athletic Director Chris O’Donnell, “After consulting with our varsity head coaches and Loyola High School’s Administration, the Athletic Department has decided to start practices no earlier than Tuesday, September 8th––the day after Labor Day.” On campus practices would most likely take place during the extracurricular windows after school from 4:00-5:15 p.m. and 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Moreover, CIF has decided to merge the fall and winter sports seasons. Additionally, sports seasons have been shortened to 72 days each. Lastly, CIF Regional and State Championships have been shortened to a maximum of one week.
Both Loyola and CIF are working to provide safe and enjoyable sports this year, but ultimately, the fate of high school sports will be determined by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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