December 7, 2020 at 8:07 a.m.
WIAA approves three pandemic-related accommodations
WIAA approves three pandemic-related accommodations
In two sports-specific accommodations, the Board formally approved reducing the number of practice and acclimatization days from 10 to eight before the first-allowed competition in wrestling, which was previously accepted by the Sports Medical Advisory Committee. In addition, the board approved of adding one 30-second timeout per half in basketball with the stipulation that the additional timeout in the first half will not be carried over into the second half.
The board also approved the continuation of non-school competition opportunities for students on school teams that have begun the season only practicing virtually, if approved by local school administration. Students may continue to participate in non-school competitions up until the start of in-person school team participation. This does not apply to teams that have begun in-person practices and later pause to quarantine. No school or school coach involvement will be permitted with the extended non-school opportunities.
The board issued a statement to address individuals and teams refusing to wear masks or wearing masks improperly. Game officials, contest managers and coaches should collaborate - in efforts to enhance the likelihood of continuing the winter sports seasons - to address coaches and participants not properly wearing masks as mandated by the governor's face coverings order.
Executive staff reports to the board included a preliminary discussion on plans for the winter sports culminating events with further details regarding the structure and schedule of those events to be determined at a special meeting later this month. The board also reviewed and discussed a number of pandemic-related proposals submitted by a member school without taking action.
Also Friday, the WIAA announced executive director Dave Anderson will retire, effective July 30, 2021.
"I believe it is the right time because we have a great staff and a great Board of Control in place," Anderson said. "Looking ahead at the challenges we know are going to be a part of coming out of this pandemic, I think it is a great opportunity for a new face, a new voice and new ideas moving forward."
Anderson, 67, assumed the role of executive director of the Association on Aug. 1, 2009, following the retirement of Doug Chickering. He is just the fifth executive director since the position was created in 1924.
The WIAA Board of Control will conduct a virtual meeting Thursday to outline and determine the process for hiring a successor.
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