The PIAA has canceled the remainder of the 2019-20 spring and winter sports due to the continued coronavirus pandemic, Pennsylvania’s governing body for high school sports announced on Thursday.
That includes the previously suspended winter sports championships and almost all of the unplayed 2020 spring sports seasons. The events will not be rescheduled or made up. Unplayed championships will not be awarded.
The announcement came on the heels of Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf announcing earlier on Thursday that no Pennsylvania schools will re-open for the remainder of the school year.
“Today’s decision by the PIAA Board of Directors was difficult for everyone,” PIAA executive directory Dr. Robert A. Lombardi said in a press release. “Their thoughts remain on the thousands of student-athletes, coaches, officials and family members affected by this decision.
“However, the Board’s position reflects a steadfast priority of keeping our student-athletes, officials and member schools’ staffs and their communities safe, while following the guidelines provided by the governor, the Department of Health and the Department of Education.”
The PIAA initially suspended all sporting events on March 12 and had held out hope for an eventual resumption of play until Thursday’s decision.
