The high school athletic calendar in Colorado will see some major changes for the 2020-21 school year based on an official announcement from the Colorado High School Activities Association.
In a release sent out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, CHSAA announced a modified sports calendar for the 2020-21 school year that will feature four sporting seasons instead of the traditional three. The biggest change coming for girls basketball is that the 2020-21 season will not begin until January.
“The health and safety of our student participants, coaches, officials and essential personnel, including volunteers, is a primary concern for the return of interscholastic athletics and activities,” CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green said. “We are very grateful for the state, health and educational leaders for their shared commitment of a return to these highly beneficial education programs when it is deemed safe for all school communities.”
Per CHSAA’s new athletic calendar, the only sports that will start this month are boys golf, cross country, boys tennis and softball. The next sports season will not take place until January, as CHSAA has put in a dead period to prepare for a possible second wave with COVID-19 that could come later this year.
Taking place in the second sports season that will start the first week of January will be boys and girls basketball, competitive and sideline spirit, wrestling, girls swimming, ice hockey and skiing.
A major change most sports will face is having to play a shortened season. In basketball, teams will now play 16 regular-season games in Classes 4A and 5A, while teams in Classes 1A, 2A and 3A will play 13 games. The postseason will also expect to see fewer teams qualify than in previous seasons, according to CHSAA.
The new athletic calendar has brought many different reactions across the state from players, coaches and fans. Some have mixed emotions about moving their season to conflict with other sports and about their seasons being shortened. Others have expressed gratitude that their seasons will still take place at all.
Prep Girls Hoops Colorado will continue to support and spotlight high school basketball players in the state who continue to work hard and prepare for the upcoming season and beyond, whether it is in training, playing on the court or going through the recruiting process.
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These are difficult times and we are all having to adjust. Let’s continue to work hard and do the best we can.
