The Missouri State High School Activities Association announced in a press release Monday its staff and board of directors will discuss possible changes to the start of fall activities.
In the press release, MSHSAA said its office "is currently working with schools in areas where local health departments have required virtual learning options only and recommending no sports or activities in the Fall."
Last month, MSHSAA announced schools that offer virtual education this fall will not be allowed to compete in athletics and activities.
"Sports and activities are irrevocably and appropriately intertwined with education provided in the school building," MSHSAA said in last month's "Guidelines and Recommendations for Opening Sports/Activities."
"The MSHSAA Constitution defines a school, in part, as being organized to deliver instruction to students who report to a common location. If conditions are such in your local area that you are unable to safely bring students to a common location for instruction, bringing students together for practice and competitions is inappropriate."
According to Monday's press release, topics the MSHSAA staff and board of directors discuss may include the postponement of fall activities, in addition to schools offering virtual learning while still allowing students to participate in athletics and activities.
"With the changing face of the start of the school year for our member schools, the Board and staff want to discuss possibilities that would allow as many students to participate as safely as possible," MSHSAA executive director Kerwin Urhahn said in the press release. "The Association wants to work with schools to provide as many opportunities as possible. For the schools currently planning to start the year as normal, our current hope is that the Fall season will proceed to its fruition."
States neighboring Missouri have recently made announcements regarding their efforts moving forward during the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, the Illinois High School Association announced football, boys soccer and girls volleyball were moving their seasons from the fall to the spring, while boys and girls golf, girls tennis, cross country and girls swimming and diving will remain in the fall.
Also last week, the executive board of the Kansas State High School Activities Association voted 5-4 to go ahead with its fall sports season as scheduled. High school fall sports practice in Kansas is scheduled to begin Aug. 17.
On Friday, the Arkansas Activities Association announced Gov. Asa Hutchinson approved for high school football teams to begin non-contact practice with helmets this week.
Missouri high school fall sports are scheduled to begin practice Monday.
The first date for fall sports contests is Aug. 28.