Moscow High School and Moscow Middle School have officially canceled their fall sports seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to original reporting by the Moscow-Pullman Daily News (MPDN), both Moscow middle and high schools will follow an intramural format for sports this fall, which would not include travel.
“As you know, we started our fall school sports activities recently with the hopes of bringing back some normalcy to our students’ lives,” an email from Bailey to Moscow School District (MSD) Stakeholders read. “Unfortunately, after further review, we have determined that there is too great a risk to our students and community when traveling to other communities, as well as when other communities come to our facilities.”
In the email, Bailey also cited concern about the inability to wear masks during some activities and the possibility of moisture contact between athletes. The purpose of transitioning to an intramural format is to protect MSD athletes and community while still allowing students to participate in activities and improve their skills.
The decision was preceded by conversations with MSD administrators, coaches, the MSD school board and an extracurricular activities committee dedicated to COVID-19-related planning, MPDN reporting stated. Similar actions at University of Idaho and Washington State University impacted the decision as well. The conferences both universities compete in have postponed fall sports through the end of 2020. Pullman High School postponed its fall season in July.
A percentage of fees already paid by athletes will be refunded to those who decide to participate in the new intramural format, the email stated. Coaching staff will remain in their positions to help transition activities into the new format.
Alexis Van Horn can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlexisRVanHorn