FHSAA votes to start fall sports Aug. 24

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida High School Athletic Association board voted Friday to start fall sports on Aug. 24.

That vote comes with the option to opt out of the state series by Sept. 18. The motion passed by a vote of 11 to five.

The board said games will begin Sept. 4. Schools are allowed to set their own schedule.

“After meeting with all 10 committees, it’s clear there are some common themes,” said George Tomyn, FHSAA executive director. “Every group mentioned safety as the number one issue. Every group mentioned the desire to play and complete. Every group talked about flexibility in scheduling.”

READ: FHSAA recommends delaying fall sports season until November

The sports medicine advisory board unanimously preferred delaying any sports practices or events until at least the first week of December.

One mom said she is OK with her son playing high school football starting Monday.

“They’re exposed everywhere we go. They’re exposed when we go to the store. They’re exposed when we go out to dinner. So it’s not just football,” she said.

READ: If child comes down with COVID-19 at school ‘everybody’s at risk,’ local doctor says

Chris DuMond, the father of a student athlete, said the kids deserve a chance to play as long as proper protocols are in place.

“I feel like these kids deserve the chance to play and if they have the protocols then I’m completely OK with moving the season forward, and I understand if some districts don’t have the ability to have a regimen or protocols in place,” he said. “It is what it is.”

Cox Media Group