"It's disappointing, and confusing.

But IESA and IHSA guidelines are different? Girls basketball was spared — temporarily — and will be subject to a decision later on. But our first obligation is to the safety of all involved. According to a statement on IESA.org, it was a unanimous decision by the board.Sports impacted include boys and girls golf, baseball, softball and boys and girls cross country. BLOOMINGTON — While the Illinois High School Association waits to make a decision on the return to sports this fall, the Illinois Elementary School Association ended speculation for the middle schools.On Friday, the IESA announced that most fall sports would be canceled for the 2020 season after holding a special board meeting on Thursday.

Because summer leagues and travel ball are taking place, this may make the decision of the IESA Board of Directors seem odd,” Endsley said. I don’t think I could ever argue with them putting the health and safety of the coaches, athletes and spectators first,” said McNeill, who was also the AD at Liberty last year.Michael Cory is now the athletic director at Liberty Middle School.Softball teams were scheduled to host its first practices on Monday, while baseball and cross country teams were scheduled to start Aug. 3.There are no plans to reschedule any of the sports due to if and when the high schools begin playing.The IESA announced last week a decision would be made by Friday at the latest.“We were anticipating that they were going to let us know by the end of the day. A decision on girls basketball — deemed a fall sport — hasn’t been made since it doesn’t start until the end of August. "I drive by games all the time and kids are not being supervised, very little or no social distancing in the dugouts, no stoppage of home run celebrations or post-game photos. "Morton Junior High activities director Chris Carter took the news hard, and said his school will look into arranging activities outside the IESA. "Sports is so important to the development of kids," Endsley said. "We will be back. Our kids have been playing all summer in park organizations and other teams. "We understand that. The Panthers won the IESA Class 3A state championship in 2018 and 2019.Now, the state’s high schools wait to see what the IHSA decides. The documents include procedural steps, health department limits, and rules for spectators. The board announced it was not canceling any sports, but has moved higher risk sports …

"These kids are generally 12-14 years old. Maybe something instructional, practices where they are exposed to our coaches. “At the forefront of the board’s decision is that the activities must be conducted within the current limitations that have been placed on the schools by the IDPH.“In particular, the mandate that there can be no physical contact between athletes and that students must be socially distanced (6 ft. of separation) makes the administration and conduct of games and contests very difficult and in some cases impossible to adhere to the mandates.”Lincoln Middle School athletic director Anthony McNeill said it was tough to see the decision come down from the IESA but understood it was neccessary.“It’s unfortunate for our student-athletes and our coaches, who love working with the kids. A lot of what we asked, he said (would need to be answered) by IDPH.

Safely. We emailed the Illinois Department of Public Health but we never heard from them. Cross Country General Requirements and Considerations: •All guidelines of IHSA Return to Play Phase 4 must be adhered to. … https://www.theintelligencer.com/sports/article/ATHLETICS-IESA-cancels-fall-sports-15431956.php Lincoln and Liberty middle schools in Edwardsville compete in all fall sports.“We know that there will be many people within the school system who will applaud this decision and there will be many who will be strongly opposed,” IESA executive director Steve Endsley said in a prepared statement. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced via its April Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday that all spring sports tournaments have been canceled. Included were bowling and track and field, along with scholastic bowl and music contests.The decision comes despite summer league games — of all ages — taking place over the last month in the state.“While there are plenty of youth league baseball and softball teams playing games and tournaments this summer, many are not adhering to the same stringent guidelines.

"I believe the science, which says the chances for kids to catch COVID-19 are very minimal. Matt Kamp, mkamp@edwpub.net. “The difference is that schools will be held to the IDPH mandates and the youth summer contests are not.