Why NYS Allowing ‘High-Risk’ HS Sports To Begin is Great News

In a year where we seem to get bad news after bad news reports, it's great when we get some good news. My weekend got off to a good start on Friday afternoon when I learned that high-risk sports in New York can resume on February 1st.

High school winter sports that were considered to be "high-risk" were put on hold indefinitely by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) in December 2020.

They said the "high-risk" sports would stay on hold until they were authorized by the state. I got the good news on Friday, January 22nd at around 1 p.m. that sports like Basketball, Cheerleading, Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Volleyball, and Wrestling could resume on February 1st.

I'm a basketball official and I was fortunate last year because the basketball season was just about over when we took the two-week pause to flatten the curve. In fact, I had officiated a pair of Christian Schools Senior All-Star games the weekend before it all came to a stop.

We continued our meetings throughout the pandemic pause but I have to admit, I didn't feel like there would be a season this year. I'm happy for our group of officials but I'm even happier for the student-athletes.

I can always officiate next year but the same can't be said for the high school seniors. It'll be a shorter season and the Winter State Championships have already been canceled by the NYSPHSAA but they'll be able to play the sport they love.