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In a memo sent out to superintendents, principals, head coaches and Athletic Directors, The AHSAA Central Board of Control canceled all summer athletic competitions due to the effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

During this week’s meetings, the contingency planning committees received updates from AHSAA Medical Advisory Board members Dr. James Robinson and Dr. Jeff Dugas, along with ALSDE State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey and Assistant State Superintendent Mr. Terry Roller.

The Central Board of Control canceled all summer competition, including 7-on-7 and OTA’s.

Despite the cancellations, schools can still hold camps with their students and feeder school students.

Dr. Mackey announced some exciting news during the meetings. The ALSDE is hopeful that schools will reopen campuses as early as June 8 and start the 2020-21 school year as planned.

“With input from the committees, the ALSDE is creating broad-based health guidelines in relation to summer activities for when schools reopen,” according to the memo. “Each school’s number of groups, individual group size limitations as well as health and safety guidelines for when schools reopen will be released from the ALSDE on or before May 22.

The ALSDE is working with five other states to create a “road  map” for best practices to start the school year in August. The practices should be released around June 19.

After receiving suggestions and questions from the committees regarding summer workouts and practices, the Central Board of Control recommended various guidelines including:

“In according with AHSAA bylaws, mandatory summer practices are prohibited, but weightlifting, conditioning, individual skill development and workouts are under the jurisdiction of local schools. Local schools must comply with all ALSDE and ADPH guidelines.”

All spring sports were canceled and later canceled after Gov. Kay Ivey closed all schools for the remainder of the school year.