Here is what the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section plans for the upcoming sports year
There were eight versions of last year’s high school sports calendar drawn up as the Sac-Joaquin Section navigated through the coronavirus pandemic.
“It was the weirdest year in SJS history,” said Assistant Commissioner Will DeBoard.
In the end, every sport was contested. The only setback was the cancellation of all playoffs.
This upcoming year? Don’t expect too many complications.
The California Interscholastic Federation and all sections are planning for a full sports calendar, including section playoffs and state championships, when fall sports begin in August.
The Sac-Joaquin Section has Aug. 20 as the first contest date for all traditional fall sports (cross country, golf, football, tennis, and volleyball) except for water polo, which will begin the following week.
Full regular seasons including the usual allotment of 10 games for football teams are listed as well.
Still, DeBoard said three big questions remain:
- Will there still be testing requirements for certain sports?
- Will masks be required for athletes/coaches/fans?
- Will there be a limitation on the number of fans allowed to attend events?
California is scheduled to reopen its economy on June 15. People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 won’t have to wear masks outdoors and in most indoor settings.
While the county tier system and other rules will end, the CIF hasn’t been notified if youth sports mandates will remain or be eliminated, DeBoard said.
It is also unknown if high school athletes will be required to be vaccinated.
Modesto City Schools spokesperson Becky Fortuna said MCS is “unaware of any requirement regarding student COVID vaccination at this time.”
Local colleges preparing for full season
Like high schools, Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State are planning full seasons.
Some, but not all MJC teams competed. No sports were contested at Stanislaus State.
Hung Tsai, assistant athletics director for communication and marketing at Stanislaus State, said schedules for this upcoming school year will be released soon.
All California State University faculty, staff and students are required to be vaccinated beginning the upcoming fall semester.
Meanwhile, MJC Athletic Director Nick Stavrianoudakis said in an email no decision has been made regarding mandatory vaccinations for junior college athletes.
“We are anxiously awaiting an updated new set of state higher education guidelines or county guidelines,” Stavrianoudakis said.
Summer plans for high school
Brian Berkefeld, Big Valley Christian’s football coach, said the Lions have scheduled their full summer program, which begins June 1.
“We are lifting (weights) right now and ready to get back to work,” he said.
Berkefeld said there are several 7-on-7 tournaments scheduled this summer that include local schools.
Downey is planning on hosting its Tuesday Night Passing League but is still waiting for district approval for the multi-team competition, including schools outside the county, which should come early next month.
Football coach Jeremy Plaa said Downey was supposed to play a 7-on-7 tournament in Merced County but the school district, which was hosting the tournament denied, schools from outside the county.
DeBoard did say that if COVID-19 cases do rise, the section does have blueprints in place for the sports seasons and would most likely delay the start of seasons instead of canceling.
Plaa said he was more concerned about the upcoming fire season than COVID-19. He said if football was played last fall, multiple weeks would have been canceled.
