Due to COVID-19 concerns and school districts around Nevada on different schedules with having students on campus to start the 2020-21 school year, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association announced that there will be no sanctioned sports played until Jan. 2, 2021.
“The adjustments were reviewed by and have unanimous support of the NIAA Legislative Commission which is made up of the superintendents of each Nevada school district with an NIAA member high school,” said NIAA executive director Bart Thompson in the release by the NIAA. “The NIAA staff consulted closely with northern and southern league/region presidents of each of the classifications in crafting the adjustments.”
The fall sports season will me moved to February as part of the plan.
According to the NIAA press release, all sports seasons will be just six competitive weeks long. The NIAA also stated in its release, “At this time, it is anticipated that there will not be state tournaments.”
Regional playoffs will be at the discretion of individual classifications, regions and/or leagues and must be played in the six-week span.
Fall Sports
For fall sports, the first practice date will be Saturday, Feb. 20, with the exception of football. Football will be able to begin practice Saturday, Feb. 13. The first contest date may be held Friday, March 5 and the last contest will be held Saturday, April 10.
Winter sports
Winter sports can begin practicing Saturday, Jan. 2, with the first scheduled contests being held Friday, Jan. 15. The last competition date will be Saturday, Feb. 20.
Spring sports
Practice will open for spring sports Saturday, April 3 with the first contests allowed to be scheduled for Friday, April 16. The spring sports season will close Saturday, May 22.
Added Information
• Out of season regulations (regulations traditionally in place during the summer) will be in place through January 1, 2021.
• These are the scheduled dates for when NIAA sanctioned sports are offered. Participation in NIAA sanctioned sports is at the option of member schools and their districts.
• Playoff considerations are at the discretion of individual Classifications, Regions and/or Leagues. The six competitive weeks would include any playoffs. At this time, it is anticipated that there will not be State Tournaments.
• The holding of practices and competitions are subject to government directive, orders from state and local health departments, the restrictions associated with the phase of reopening in place at the time, and local district and school mandates.
