Coronavirus concerns alter UIL, TAPPS, SPC athletics. Here’s what you need to know.
In the continued wake of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, the University Interscholastic League (UIL), Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) and Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) are altering their competition schedules for the next 2-3 weeks.
The UIL is suspending all UIL sanctioned contests, effective March 16 through March 29.
Rehearsals and practices may be held at the discretion of the local school district.
“We are urging our member schools and their communities to stay vigilant and take every possible precaution to remain safe and healthy,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt in a press release.
The UIL suspended the boys basketball state tournament on Thursday after four games.
“We understand there is a lot of uncertainty during this unprecedented time,” Breithaupt said. “Please know UIL leadership is working diligently to adjust to this rapidly evolving situation and will share updates as soon as possible.”
UIL Deputy Director Dr. Jamey Harrison stated on Thursday that “it’s our goal to complete this tournament (boys basketball) at some point in the future. It’s our intention to complete our other state championships.”
According to the UIL on Friday, tentative playoff dates have been made for boys and girls soccer.
District certification - April 11
Bi-District - April 14
Area - April 18
Regional quarters - April 21
Regional tourney - April 24-25 (site may be set up by four qualifying teams)
State tourney - April 29-May 2 (Georgetown)
District certifications are new for golf (April 14) and tennis (April 18).
District and area meets may be combined at area meet for track and field.
TAPPS also announced on Friday, it’s suspending all interscholastic competition through April 12. Teams in competition on Friday (March 13) could conclude activity.
“If it is deemed safe at that time to resume participation, we will have developed a plan for championship competition for each activity, given the constraints of scheduling and available facilities,” said TAPPS Executive Director Bryan Bunselmeyer in a press release.
The suspension, like the UIL and SPC, shall be in place for track, golf, tennis, baseball and softball. It also includes soccer for the UIL and lacrosse for the SPC.
According to TAPPS, if school is in session, it will be left to local discretion on whether teams may practice. If school campuses are closed, then practice is not allowed.
Other TAPPS organizations affected include music, academics, speech, debate, art and robotics.
However, for the SPC, it announced cancellation of all conference games from March 25 (the first games scheduled after most schools return from spring break) through April 13.
“If safely possible, we will resume our regular schedule in all SPC sports beginning the week of April 13. We will monitor conditions throughout this approximate two-week period and keep you updated if additional cancellations become necessary due to unfolding circumstances,” SPC Comissioner Bob Windham and Board Chair Jon Kellam said in a letter sent out to member schools on Thursday.
The SPC is considering a number of make-up options, which could include a mini tournament for seeding for both its north and south zone schools.
Local schools affected include Fort Worth Trinity Valley, Fort Worth Country Day, Dallas St. Mark’s, Arlington Oakridge, Irving Cistercian, Dallas Hockaday, Addison Greenhill and Epsicopal School of Dallas.
“With the fluid and uncertain situations we face, we can assure everyone we will strive for a fair and equitable way to seed and conduct our spring tournaments if, in future weeks, it looks feasible and safe to conduct our Spring SPC tournaments this school year,” the SPC said.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 4:13 PM.
