When the High School Basketball Season was cut short on Championship Saturday back in March, it left many wondering what was next. The decision to halt play at the State Basketball Tournament sites and declare co-champions for all four class boys' and girls' divisions was soon followed by the cancellation of all spring sports. This was difficult for many parents, coaches and fans and was heartbreaking for Class of 2020 Seniors.

Having seen the lengths that have been taken to protect our student athletes and fans of the game in general, speculation abound as to what fall sports would look like, we now have an answer. Months of wondering hope and for some frustration as fear that another group of seniors may experience a lost season was felt by all who follow high school athletics. Last week Montana High School Association (MHSA) Executive Director Mark Beckman released a directive allowing for fall sports to proceed. This means football, volleyball and cross county as well as golf for the Class AA and A can begin practice as regularly scheduled.

Like everything in our lives now, it will not look the same but all the added protocols put in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the student athletes, coaches, trainers, officials, field workers, media and fans is the first priority will allow a season to be played.

Recently the MHSA Executive Board met and approved a number of directives, requirements and considerations regarding the return to fall MHSA activities. The Board was aligned with the National Federation of High School Association (NFHS) in the belief that "The resumption of sports and other activities is crucial to the growth, development, and mental and emotional wellness of our Montana Youth."

The MHSA was thorough in their process of determining these procedures to be implemented and the resumption of fall sports to begin. Utilizing tools provided by and consulting with national, state and local experts from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC), the Governors Directive, state and local health departments and input from state activity associations across the country. The return to fall activities will require member schools to follow these MHSA guidelines as well as the Governors directive and directives from their local health departments.

The fall sports will precede as regularly scheduled with practice for Football, Volleyball and Cross Country to begin on Friday, August 14. The first allowed day of competition will be Thursday, August 27 providing teams have met the mandatory practice mark. Class B an Eight Man football playoff will begin October 30-31 and the state championship game will be played on Saturday, November 21. Volleyball will hold their state tournament on the campus of MSU Bozeman, November 12-14. The Divisional tournaments will be played November 5-7 and the District Tournaments October 29-31. Cross Country will hold their state meet in Kalispell, Saturday, October 24 at Rebecca Farms.

The post season schedule is tenuous right now. There will be no multi-team events, such as preseason volleyball invitational tournaments or triangular events. The status of these multi-team events (mainly volleyball in Blaine County) in relation to the current phase and restrictions in place later in the season will be reevaluated accordingly.

Cross Country teams in Blaine County include the Harlem Wildcats and the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds. Teams are encouraged to have dual meets but multi team participation can take place if certain rules are applied. 1) No more than 200 participants (By the Governor's currant phase). 2) Teams must remain in staging area. 3) No more than 25 on the start line. 4) The next runners up will be placed in corral before they start. 5) All runners must wear masks in the team staging area, corral and until they are called by the starter to the starting line. 6) Once the race is completed individuals must immediately exit the finish line area and return to their team bus. There can be no gathering of teams after each race.

The attendance of fans at regular season contests will be determined by the school in consultation with their local health department authority. Schools may have to submit a plan for fan attendance to their local health department for approval.

As far as Music Festivals go the following protocol will be implemented: The All State Band, Choir and Orchestra Music Festival on October 14-16 have been canceled. The MHSA Executive Board canceled the festival due to concerns from the MMEA, MHSA limitations for fall sports and activities, and concerns of high-risk transmissions through the playing of instruments and singing. The Festival will not be rescheduled during the 2020-2021 school year.

The following General Requirements/Considerations will be implemented:

1. Workouts/practices should be conducted in "pods" / "bubbles" of participants with same players working out together to limit overall exposure.

2. Before, during and after the contest, players, coaches, and administration should wash and sanitize their hands as often as possible.

3. No out of state competition or teams traveling from out of state for competition, unless it is in a dual format and approved by the MHSA Executive Director.

4. Always maintain social distancing of 6 feet while on the field/court of play when possible.

5. Everyone must have their own beverage container that is not shared. Safe handling practices should be adhered during hydration, which includes refilling, retrieval and identification of water source.

6. Time-outs (if applicable) may be extended to a maximum of two minutes in length for safe hydration practices. Social distancing requirements must always be followed.

7. Cloth facial coverings are allowed for players, coaches and officials. Facial coverings must be a single solid color and unadorned. Face Coverings must be worn per the Governor's directive.

8. Gloves are permissible for all players, coaches and officials.

9. The ball should be cleaned and sanitized throughout the contest/event as recommended by the ball manufacturer.

10. Administrators must limit the number of non-essential personnel who are on the field/player surface area throughout the contest.

11. Attendance at MHSA events is dependent on host site and local health department guidelines and restrictions.

12. A family's role in maintaining safety guidelines for themselves and others is very important. Make sure your child and immediate household members are free from illness before participating in practice and competition (if there is doubt stay home). Provide personal items for your child and clearly label them.

There are five Tiers in the Fall Sports Guidelines. We are currently in Tier 1 and includes the directives previously stated. If you would like to read about the four remaining tiers log on to https://www.mhsa.org/coronavirus and click return to fall activities Memo – COVID-19.

The release from the MHSA Executive Board states that:

Schools must follow the Governor's Phase Directives, State and Local Health Department Directives regarding fan attendance (limits, social distancing, enforce the mask requirement, facility cleaning, sanitizing, etc.), travel requirements (bus maximum numbers and mask wearing, etc,) and MHSA sport specific requirements.

Schools and teams in communities that follow the Governor's Phase, State and Local Health Department Directives and MHSA's current Tier and sport specific requirements will be allowed to participate. Schools could print "at your own risk" statement on every ticket sold for contests.

Fan attendance – local health department requirements will differ, and schools need to consult their local health authority and be ready to submit a plan for approval if required. Schools/districts/classifications will have to determine number of tickets they will provide to the visiting team per allowed maximum attendance.

Some schools may experience quarantines before or during a season – those scheduled contests will be considered "no contest". If a school refuses to go to a location where contests are allowed it will be considered a forfeit. Districts/Divisions/Classifications will be responsible for determining post season seeding criteria taking into consideration these situations.

Depending on teams available, post season formats may be adjusted according to those teams able to participate. Alternate formats – playoffs instead of central sites / single loss events / reduced qualifiers / or end of season round robin play with remaining teams.

For all other inquiries regarding sport specific rules please visit https://www.mhsa.org/coronavirus and click the appropriate link.