AAA planning for fall sports in 2020

High school football, volleyball a go for now, says association

news@theeveningtimes.com Arkansas is prepared to proceed with the high school sports fall season as planned.

The Arkansas Activities Association released a statement Tuesday, stating it is 'preparing to resume activities and athletics this fall in accordance with the regular AAA calendar.'

Translation: Let's go.

But like other states with similar proclamations — Georgia, Florida and Texas to name a few — Arkansas' hopes come with loads of contingencies, namely: 'all directives as issued by the Governor's office and Department of Health.'

In other words, if those agencies decide it's not safe due to COVID-19, the AAA will comply.

The statement also touched on how neighboring states had made it known they were moving forward with plans for fall sports.

'All states contiguous to Arkansas have indicated they are making similar plans to begin as scheduled this fall,' the statement read. 'Plans are also being discussed at all levels in regard to adjustments to the calendar if necessary.'

After big spikes in COVID-19 cases last week, a newly formed Florida High School Athletic Association task force voted 8-7 to recommend moving back fall practice to no earlier than Aug. 10.

That came a week after the FHSAA said it was 'optimistic' all sports would open as scheduled on July 27.

Georgia OK'd 7-on-7 drills at football practice this week and appears firm on starting on time, while several others, including Tennessee, New Jersey and Arizona have already taken measures to move back their fall seasons. Other states, like California, Texas and Mississippi, have discussed flipping fall sports to either winter or spring.