The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced Tuesday it will follow New York State Department of Health guidelines for the upcoming state championships for winter sports.
This means large-scale indoor state championship tournaments exceeding 5,000 attendees each day–boys basketball and wrestling–will require all attendees ages five and older to show proof of full vaccination or a negative covid test before entering the tournaments. The boys basketball state semifinals and finals are being held in Glens Falls, and the state wrestling tournament will be in Albany.
Albertus Magnus, Our Lady of Lourdes and John S. Burke high schools are Catholic schools competing in the NYSPHSAA as does The Ursuline School, an all-girls school. CHSAA wrestlers will participate in the state wrestling tournament in Albany.
“As the governing body for interscholastic athletics in New York state, it is important that we adhere to NYSDOH guidelines that are in place for the health and safety of participants and fans,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA executive director in a press release. “A year ago, hosting state championship events was not possible. Thankfully, we now have the ability to provide participation opportunities for students under the direction of public health officials.”
The NYSPHSAA also will adhere to vaccination guidelines required by host Rochester Institute of Technology for the high school state cheerleading championships, meaning all attendees ages five and older must have proof of full vaccination at events with 400 or more attendees.
The state indoor track championships at Ocean Breeze on Staten Island, which will include NYSPHSAA and CHSAA athletes, will require all attendees ages five and older to have proof of full vaccination in accordance with New York City Parks and Recreation guidelines.