UPDATE: April 3, 2020
Events for Iowa’s high school Unified Activities partners will remain prohibited through April 30 as Governor Kim Reynolds announced an extension of school closures through that date on Thursday afternoon.
This continued response to the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) moves the previously announced potential return date from April 13 to May 1 for the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, the Iowa High School Music Association, and the Iowa High School Speech Association.
Gov. Reynolds announced the extension of school closures alongside representatives from the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Education. While the Department of Education and executive director Dr. Ann Lebo have announced provisions for continued learning during this period, guidance continues to prohibit mass gatherings and keep school facilities closed across Iowa.
The primary concern of all four Unified Activities organizations is the health and safety of students, schools, and their communities during this pandemic.
The IGHSAU and IHSAA are still working to offer spring and summer sports opportunities, provided they can be done safely and follow CDC, state, and local guidelines. The IHSMA and IHSSA are collaborating with member schools to provide up-to-date guidance for teachers and participants through this prohibited period.
However, schedules will continue to be assessed as this crisis develops and further announcements from the Unified Activities partners will follow recommendations of state and public health officials.
The IDPH continues to advise individuals to stay at home as much as possible and avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.
“We are committed to bringing a sense of familiarity to our young people whose school year has been so disrupted by this adjusted spring season,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said. “It is our hope that students return to school on the current target date and have the opportunity to participate in the activities that mean so much to them.
“Like all Iowans, we are committed to doing our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and we support the steps Governor Reynolds has taken to achieve that goal.”
An updated schedule for activities was added on Monday, April 6. The dates provide for a May 1 return to school.
UPDATED IHSAA SPORTS SCHEDULE
SPRING & SUMMER 2020
If school resumes May 1, 2020 – All dates are subject to change
As of April 10, 2020
| Sport | First Practice | First Competition | Postseason Lead-Up | State Competition |
| Track & Field | May 1 | May 4 | May 28 | June 4-6 |
| Golf | May 1 | May 4 | May 29, June 5 | June 11-12 |
| Tennis-Team | May 1 | May 4 | May 23, 30 | June 9 |
| Tennis-Ind. | May 1 | May 4 | May 20 | June 5-6 |
| Soccer | May 1 | May 8 | June 8, 10, 12 | June 15, 17, 19 |
| Baseball | May 18 | June 1 | July 9-22 | July 24-Aug. 1 |
To view both the IHSAA and IGHSAU schedules, click HERE.
Postseason host sites and state championship event venues are currently set as previously announced. Any changes or updates will be announced as they become available.
The IGHSAU and IHSAA have not set a maximum or minimum number for competition dates within this adjusted schedule. Previously stated competition limits apply for each sport. Member schools may determine their own regular seasons which are best suited to their school schedules and activities.
Golf postseason dates may vary due to course availability.
Member schools with contracted dates or facilities should contact those partners regarding lost or potentially lost agreements. Please contact IGHSAU and IHSAA administrators for more information if necessary.
The new start date for softball and baseball’s pitching and catching is currently May 1. The IHSAA will provide for 10 days of batting practice between May 1 and May 18.
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ORIGINAL: March 16, 2020
Following Sunday’s announcements from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, all spring activities of Iowa’s high school Unified Activities partners – the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, the Iowa High School Music Association, and the Iowa High School Speech Association – will be prohibited through the state’s K-12 school recommended closure of four weeks.
Gov. Reynolds announced the recommended closure in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Public Health, in response to community spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iowa.
This recommended closure date currently extends through Sunday, April 12 and would mean a school return of April 13. Prior to April 12, the schedule will be assessed as necessary with information from the Governor, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Education, and activity partners at the IGHSAU, IHSAA, IHSMA, and IHSSA.
“Based on new information today from the Iowa Department of Public Health, now is the time to move to the next level of response,” Gov. Reynolds said in Sunday’s release. “I am now recommending that all Iowa schools close for a period of four weeks to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
Per CDC guidelines recommending the cancellation of gatherings of more than 50 individuals for at least eight weeks, events following the planned four-week school closure in Iowa will be updated as the situation develops.
ACTIVITIES
The first practice date for three IHSAA (boys) spring sports was set for Monday, March 16: golf, soccer, and tennis. Baseball was scheduled to begin limited practice time on April 1.
The first practice dates for IGHSAU (girls) tennis and golf was set for Monday, March 16. The first practice dates for girls’ soccer was set for March 23.
The first practice date for boys’ baseball and girls’ softball, May 4, remains the same until further information is provided.
The first practice and competition date for boys/girls track and field was Feb. 17.
All IHSAA and IGHSAU sports are now in a prohibited period for practice, competition, and sanctioned activity until the closure is lifted. This prohibition means no in-person contact between coaches/administrators and student-athletes for the duration of the period.
Guidance on future IGHSAU and IHSAA activity schedule adjustments and their effects on season lengths, as well as postseason events, will be announced through www.iahsaa.org and www.ighsau.org.
IHSMA has cancelled Class 4A and 1A solo/small ensemble festival set for April 18, and the state large group festival set for May 8-9.
There should be no in-person contact between teachers/administrators and participants for the duration of the prohibited period. Any effort to provide IHSMA participants with a make-up experience should take place only via digital media through the duration of the prohibited period.
Future updates and guidance on IHSMA events will be available through www.ihsma.org.
All IHSSA (speech) events will be prohibited to practice or make up their individual state local contest until the closure is lifted. All contact between coaches, judges, and students for the duration of the period is prohibited. The All-State Festival scheduled for March 30 has been cancelled.
Guidance on future IHSSA activity will be announced through www.ihssa.org
SERVICES
The IHSAA is cancelling mass gatherings planned for April, including the Governor’s Scholar Ceremony and the annual Officials’ Banquet. Students and officials will still be honored with updates to be provided for award recipients.
Officials’ clinics for both boys and girls spring and summer activities that were previously scheduled for dates during the recommended closure will be postponed and made up when possible.
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The IHSAA concluded its 2019-20 winter sports seasons with Friday’s state basketball tournament finals at Wells Fargo Arena, with attendance restrictions in place. Before Saturday’s announcements, no recommendations had been made by state or county government regarding mass gatherings or school-related events.
Other in-person meetings scheduled by the IHSAA/IGHSAU or at IHSAA/IGHSAU offices during the closure will be rescheduled or updated.
IHSAA administrators will remain available during this time: www.iahsaa.org/about/staff
IGHSAU administrators will remain available during this time: www.ighsau.org/about/staff
As this situation is rapidly changing, any of the above guidelines may need to be adjusted. Notifications will go out immediately to member schools should updates be necessary.
The Unified Activities partners request member school recipients of this message ensure that involved administrators and educators — superintendents, principals, activity administrators, coaches, and teachers — are aware of the items in this communication.
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ABOUT THE IHSAA
The Iowa High School Athletic Association works to coordinate, develop, direct, oversee, and promote boys’ high school and junior high sports and activities across the state of Iowa. The IHSAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers free membership to all high schools in Iowa that are recognized by the Department of Education.
The four partners of Iowa’s Unified Activities Federation oversee education-based activities for member schools across the state. The offices of the IHSAA and IHSMA are located in Boone. The offices of the IGHSAU and IHSSA are located in West Des Moines. Each organization has its own staff, board, and by-laws. For more information:
ighsau.org | iahsaa.org | ihsma.org | ihssa.org
Published: 9:15 a.m., March 16, 2020
Edit: 11:30 a.m., March 17, 2020 – Listed closure date extended from April 10 to April 12 per guidance from Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday evening.
Update: 12 p.m., April 3, 2020 – Closure date extended through April 30.
Updated: 12 p.m., April 6, 2020 – Spring sports schedule added from May 1