STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control reviewed and approved three pandemic-related accommodations, effective immediately, at its December meeting today.
In two sports-specific accommodations, the Board formally approved reducing the number of practice and acclimatization days from 10 to eight before the first-allowed competition in wrestling, which was previously accepted by the Sports Medical Advisory Committee. In addition, the Board approved of adding one 30-second timeout per half in basketball with the stipulation that the additional timeout in the first half will not be carried over into the second half.
The Board also approved the continuation of nonschool competition opportunities for students on school teams that have begun the season only practicing virtually, if approved by local school administration. Students may continue to participate in nonschool competitions up until the start of in-person school team participation. This does not apply to teams that have begun in-person practices and later pause to quarantine. No school or school coach involvement will be permitted with the extended nonschool opportunities.
Among the other action items approved by the Board were the 2019-20 independent audit report provided by BDO, general fund statements and payments, the deferred liability fund report for September, as well as the 2021-22 meeting dates calendar.
The Board issued a statement to address individuals and teams refusing to wear masks or wearing masks improperly. Game officials, contest managers and coaches should collaborate – in efforts to enhance the likelihood of continuing the winter sports seasons – to address coaches and participants not properly wearing masks as mandated by the governor’s face coverings order.
Executive staff reports to the Board included a preliminary discussion on plans for the winter sports culminating events with further details regarding the structure and schedule of those events to be determined at a special meeting later this month. The Board also reviewed and discussed a number of pandemic-related proposals submitted by a member school without taking action.
The executive staff also provided reports to the Board on the upcoming membership elections, as well as an update of conference realignment applications prior to the Task Force meeting on Dec. 9.
The Board also received liaison reports from John Ashley of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Mike Thompson of the Department of Public Instruction, and Nathan DeLany of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.
The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 514 senior high schools and 48 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.
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