Courtesy of San Benito High School:
Due to the continued surge in COVID-19 infections, the California Department of Public Health has postponed the issuance of its updated youth sports guidance, so the CIF announced Tuesday, Dec. 1 that all full practice and competition start dates for high schools are officially on hold until updated guidance is issued.
This means that the scheduled Dec. 14, 2020 start date for Fall sports, Season 1 (including football, cheer, boys’ and girls’ volleyball, water polo cross country and field hockey) will be delayed to no sooner than Jan. 2, 2021.
San Benito High School’s boys’ volleyball program, which had its season canceled last Spring, has been moved back to the Spring 2021 season in hopes the season can be played then, said SBHS Athletic Director Tod Thatcher.
“While our student-athletes and coaches understand the postponement due to the spike in COVID-19 statewide, it doesn’t make it any easier for all involved,” Thatcher said. “While I’m sure that there is disappointment and frustration, our student-athletes will continue to work extremely hard in our conditioning cohorts in preparation of a January start date.”
San Benito High School currently has 42 cohorts made up of more than 450 student-athletes who have been conditioning since mid-October. The Central Coast Section previously said these conditioning cohorts may continue through Dec. 11. Many of the Baler Fall sports programs also participated in a month of conditioning cohorts in June and July.
“I am very proud of all of our student-athletes who have remained positive and have made significant gains in their physical conditioning during their participation in their respective cohorts,” Thatcher added. “Additionally, I am thankful for our dedicated Baler coaching staff who have continued to work with our student-athletes on the field, support our kids academically and continue to mentor them to be Baler Strong.”
Thatcher said additional updates will be announced when they are made available.
The CIF has also announced that for Season 1 (Fall) Sports, regional and state championship events have been cancelled.
In a statement, the CIF said that it “is confident this decision is a necessary and reasonable action for our member schools, student-athletes, and school communities in light of the current statewide crisis. This revision to the CIF State 2020-21 Season 1 Sports calendar offers our Sections and Leagues the flexibility and needed time to plan for the return to practice and competition once updated guidance is provided by the CDPH.”
