It’s been nearly three weeks since officials closed New Jersey schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 year to curb the spread of COVID-19. That effectively put an end to the spring sports season in 2020. Now the conversation turns to when high school sports in the Garden State can actually resume. New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) executive committee president Mary Liv Ivans penned a letter Friday laying out that plan in detail. It’s all centered around having a fall sports season this year. Ivans will chair the newly-formed NJSIAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Task Force, a collaboration of professionals tasked with the goal of making sports safe for New Jersey high school athletes this fall. “The goal of the task force is to identify and implement both general and sports-specific modifications that will be required by NJSIAA member schools,” Ivans wrote. “In the short-term, our efforts will be focused on returning the fall athletes to their sports for the 2020 season.” The formation of this new group comes only days after the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) released a 16-page guideline depicting how high school athletes can be kept safe when a return to sports is made. The NJSIAA’s new task force will look to “identify and implement both general and sports-specific modifications that will be required by NJSIAA member schools,” wrote Ivans. “The fewer cases there are today, the greater the likelihood we will play in the fall.  And as we navigate the next few months, it is important that we prepare to be flexible with a new normal. Of course, the timing of our return to school will ultimately be determined by the State of New Jersey. And, it’s important to keep in mind that going back to our school buildings won’t necessarily guarantee an immediate return of athletics. It’s possible that some sports will follow different schedules than others,” she continued. The state athletic association announced members signed onto the task force. They are Kathy Whalen, NJ Department of Education; Dr. Lakota Kruse, medical director, NJ Department of Health, Division of Family Health Services; Dr. Jack Kripsak, chair of the NJSIAA Medical Advisory Committee; Dr. Damion Martins, team physician and director of Internal Medicine to the New York Jets and a member of the NFL COVID Taskforce; and Dr. Rob Franks, a team physician for USA wrestling and team consultant to the Philadelphia Phillies. NJSIAA assistant director Tony Maselli will serve as the NJSIAA liaison. “Many obstacles remain,” Ivans concluded. “Hard work, patience and flexibility will be required, and at times some may feel deflated. But I’m confident that together, we will help get our kids safely back in the game.” For the latest on how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact high school sports in New Jersey, continue to follow along with us here at JerseySportsZone.com.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyday life for New Jerseyans over the last eight weeks. It’s now forced state officials to close schools across the state for the remainder of the 2019-2020 year, shutting the door on any high school sports season this spring. #BREAKING: ALL SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN CLOSED for in-person instruction for the remainder of the school year – to protect the health of our children, our educators, and their families.Guided by safety and science, this is the best course of action. pic.twitter.com/PI5xFxPlVZ— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 4, 2020 “We reached this conclusion based on the guidance from our public health experts and with a single goal in mind of the safety and well-being of our children, educators, administrators and staff,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday. This comes after New Jersey reached 126,744 positive COVID-19 cases and 7,871 confirmed deaths as of Sunday. Only New York has more cases and deaths than New Jersey. The decision is a proverbial dagger for high school athletes and parents alike who hoped to see the Class of 2020 seniors off with at least some semblance of a spring season. Murphy said the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association supported his decision to close schools and shut down all high school sports for the 2019-2020 year. “The NJSIAA medical board has concluded that due to a lack of testing, viable treatments and a vaccine, that spring sports were not a viable option,” Murphy said. “I know the NJSIAA took no pleasure in reaching that conclusion and frankly neither do I in stating it.” Last month, Gov. Phil Murphy sounded optimistic when discussing a potential spring sports season, saying schools could potentially reopen “if we keep pulling and working together.” The NJSIAA also laid out groundwork in April for a shortened season if schools did reopen. That plan is effectively moot now. However, Murphy’s tone was different Monday. His call to close schools for the remainder of the year came just days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the same for New York schools. Here’s the NJSIAA statement regarding the cancellation of spring sports: NJSIAA STATEMENT ON SPRING SPORTS May 4, 2020 “Following today’s announcement by Governor Murphy, the NJSIAA has officially canceled New Jersey’s 2020 high school spring sports season.  This decision was not made lightly and we are disappointed for the thousands of New Jersey student-athletes who will be unable to compete this spring. While we remained hopeful to the end, and left open every possibility, competition simply is not feasible given the circumstances. “The last few weeks have been heartbreaking on many levels, from the tragic loss of life, to thousands battling the virus, to millions who have suffered emotional and economic loss.  It’s been a harrowing time for everyone, and we know our student-athletes are extremely disappointed. That said, these unfortunate circumstances may have put an intriguing challenge in the path of our young people. As New Jersey’s own Vince Lombardi once said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up. “  We’re confident all our kids will get back up and stand tall. “The NJSIAA will continue developing plans for the potential restarting of scholastic sports during the fall season. Additional information related both to the summer recess and fall will be shared at a later date.”