July, 2020
08/03/20 – ACT Releases Additional Test Dates for 2020-21
Recently, the ACT released information about adding additional testing dates for the 2020-21 school year. As you plan for the upcoming year, it is important to note these dates. Administrators, coaches, student-athletes, and parents should record these additional dates in order to avoid possible conflict. The KHSAA cannot possibly avoid conflicts with all of these dates (including postseason dates). It is recommended that all involved plan accordingly to mitigate any conflicts for the student-athlete in a postseason event. Below is a list of the dates (as provided by the ACT) and deadlines for registration.
Test Date
Registration Deadline
September 12, 2020
September 13, 2020 (Sunday)
September 19, 2020
August 14
October 10, 2020
October 17, 2020
October 24, 2020
October 25, 2020 (Sunday)
September 17
December 12, 2020
07/28/20- Board of Control Approves Fall Sports to Begin Practice August 24
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2020
The Board of Control conducted a virtual meeting Tuesday morning via Zoom, during which time it addressed the future of the 2020 fall sports season. With 17 members voting in favor (and one member abstaining), the Board approved a plan to leave fall sports in the fall and begin official fall practice on August 24th in Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball, and Football, with the first date of competition set for September 11th for Football and September 7th for the remaining fall sports.
“Our board strongly believes in the tremendous psychological advantages formed through the relationships between our student-athletes and their school coaches and school personnel, as well as the strong community values surrounding interscholastic, education-based athletics,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “College and professional sports are great, but our unique opportunity to build relationships with our neighbors within one state is not one we take for granted.”
[…]07/27/20 – Student-Athlete Participation Rises for the 3rd Straight Year to New Record Totals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2020
Student-athlete participation increased for the third-straight year in Kentucky High School Athletic Association sports and sport-activities to reach record levels in 2019-20. A total of 107,166 rostered participants competed across the KHSAA’s 13 sports and six sport-activities according to information submitted by the membership, surpassing last year’s then-record total of 106,931. Football was one of 12 offerings to show an increase from the previous year, breaking a trend of declining participation for the last three years by adding 202 new student-athletes [freshmen, JV, varsity] during the 2019-20 season to remain the state’s most popular sport with 13,277 rostered participants.
“The continued rise in student-athlete participation the last three years emphasizes the importance of school-based athletics in the fabric of the educational experience for these young adults,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “The importance of these coach-to-student and student-to-student relationships is only amplified in these uncertain times, as we strive […]
07/21/20 – ‘First Aid, Health and Safety’ Revisions Provide Updated Content for Learning Center Core Course
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 21, 2020) — Revisions to “First Aid, Health and Safety” – one of two core courses in the NFHS Learning Center – have been completed to provide relevant, up-to-date content to the 10-unit course. The other core course is “Fundamentals of Coaching.”
From its inception, “First Aid, Health and Safety” was designed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the American Red Cross to offer coaches and administrators an overview of first aid. Included in that overview are best practices for the numerous situations in which medical attention may be required.
“The NFHS and the American Red Cross have partnered together on a first aid course since the NFHS Learning Center platform launched in 2007,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services. “In that time, nearly 300,000 first aid courses have been accessed via the NFHS Learning Center. Over the past year, the NFHS and […]
07/14/20- Healthy at Sports Position Statement
As announcements are made across the country regarding the return to athletics or specific sports, our office will continue to be informed but not necessarily controlled or bound by decisions from other levels of play, as well as other state associations. This is a very fluid situation, and Kentucky data and discussions need to drive Kentucky decisions for the betterment of all involved in high school sports and sport-activities, as well as middle schools. Like most others, we are constantly receiving updated information from around the state and nation during this very dynamic period.
Our decisions in developing a Healthy at Sports timeline will continue to be made with the following primary goals and objectives in mind:
- To always keep participant safety and risk minimization as a top priority;
- To avoid a delay in the start of school and in-person learning;
- To recognize the physical, mental and emotional benefits to the educational […]
07/14/20 – Board of Control Aligns Competitive Cheer Divisions to Match UCA Revisions
In its first meeting of the 2020-21 academic year, the Board of Control approved an adjustment to the KHSAA Competitive Cheer divisions to match Universal Cheerleaders Association’s (UCA) 2020-21 revisions. Those divisions will be as follows:
- All-Girl Small: 5 – 15 members
- All-Girl Medium: 16 – 19 members
- All-Girl Large: 20 – 23 members
- All-Girl Super Large: 24 – 30 members
- Coed: 5 – 30 members (minimum 1 male)
- Game Day: 5 – 30 members
Additional information will be released to coaches in the annual Competitive Cheer rules clinic and the event declaration form will be updated in early August.
The entire release from the Board of Control meeting can be viewed here: https://khsaa.org/07-13-20-board-of-control-extends-segment-3-restrictions-to-august-3/
– KHSAA –
About the Kentucky High School Athletic Association
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association was organized in 1917 and is the agency designated by the Kentucky Department of Education to manage high school […]
07/14/20 – Board of Control Revises Divisions to the Sport-Activity of Dance
The Board of Control conducted its first meeting of the 2020-21 academic year on July 10, examining various issues concerning the restart of school-based athletics in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the course of its meeting, the Board approved a recommendation to extend the guidance and allowances for Segment 3 of the document issued for summer play in KHSAA sports and sport-activities through Sunday, August 2, except for the sport of golf.
In other action, the Board approved revisions to the Dance competition rules and designated the competition dances as Jazz, Hip Hop, Pom, and Game Day with no squad size subdivisions.
Additional information will be released to coaches in the annual Dance rules clinic and the event declaration form will be updated in early August.
The entire release from the Board of Control meeting can be viewed here: https://khsaa.org/07-13-20-board-of-control-extends-segment-3-restrictions-to-august-3/
– KHSAA –
About the Kentucky High School Athletic […]
07/14/20- Pixellot Offer-Webcasting/Webinar
As you may have heard last week, the NFHS Network announced the “High School Support Program” that will enable its member schools that currently lack webcast production capabilities to stream athletic contests. We are excited to not only ensure that you are aware of this great program but to encourage you to dig deep and decide if it benefits your school. In these trying times when upcoming contests could face attendance restrictions, a streaming option is certainly worth considering. Especially one that will potentially yield income to your athletic program instead of benefitting an outside entity. Details about an informational webinar for this program are at the end of this email.Basically, this program allows each school to receive up to two free Pixellot automated production units for use in their primary sports venues. These units were previously priced at more than $4,000 per unit, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your school.
[…]
07/14/20 – NFHS-AMSSM Guidance for Assessing Cardiac Issues in High School Student-Athletes with COVID-19 Infection
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — An expert medical task force appointed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) has issued guidance for assessing potential cardiac issues in high school student-athletes with COVID-19 infection.
The guidance is included in the “Cardiopulmonary Considerations for High School Student-Athletes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: NFHS-AMSSM Guidance Statement” published in Sports Health (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1941738120941490), an online journal of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM).
“COVID-19 has raised many concerns regarding the health and safety of athletes,” said Jonathan Drezner, M.D., director of the University of Washington Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology, past president of the AMSSM and co-chair of the NFHS-AMSSM task force. “The risk of heart and lung involvement is likely related to the severity of the illness. This guidance statement addresses important cardiac considerations and the suggested evaluation of high school student-athletes with past or new COVID-19.”
[…]07/13/20- NFHS Network Pixellot Offer/Program/Webinar
Dear Superintendents, Principals, and Athletic Directors,
As you may have heard last week, the NFHS Network announced the “High School Support Program” that will enable its member schools that currently lack webcast production capabilities to stream athletic contests. We are excited to not only ensure that you are aware of this great program but to encourage you to dig deep and decide if it benefits your school. In these trying times when upcoming contests could face attendance restrictions, a streaming option is certainly worth considering. Especially one that will potentially yield income to your athletic program instead of benefitting an outside entity. Details about an informational webinar for this program are at the end of this email.
Basically, this program allows each school to receive up to two free Pixellot automated production units for use in their primary sports venues. These units were previously priced at more than $4,000 per unit, so this […]
07/13/20- Board of Control Extends Segment 3 Restrictions to August 3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2020
The Board of Control conducted its first meeting of the 2020-21 academic year on July 10 in Covington, examining various issues concerning the restart of school-based athletics in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the course of its meeting, the Board approved a recommendation to extend the guidance and allowances for Segment 3 of the document issued for summer play in KHSAA sports and sport-activities through Sunday, August 2, except for the sport of golf.
As a result of the Board’s action, the traditional July 15 start of practice for KHSAA fall sports has been pushed back until Aug. 3, however, it should be noted that Kentucky has some of the earliest starts to fall practice (dates when activity could be mandatory) in the continental United States. Mandatory tryouts or practices cannot be held prior to Aug. 3, including for the sport-activities of Dance and Competitive Cheer, which have […]
07/12/20- Segment 3 (Continued Through August 2nd) Guidance
From the Commissioner:
I realize that many of you were viewing the Board of Control work session on Friday morning as well as the full Board of Control meeting Friday afternoon, and between those webcasts and the news media coverage, most of what I will tell you on behalf of the Board of Control and staff is not news. But to be sure everyone is on the same page, this will officially inform you of the action of the Board of Control and its subsequent implementation. You will receive a second email early this week specific to the waiver of specific bylaws by the Board of Control, however, the allowances beginning tomorrow are of likely higher priority, and is the primary subject of this communication. The primary goal of the Association is the safety of all participants, coaches, and administrators involved while also attempting to ensure that no athletic activity and subsequent […]07/07/20 – NFHS Network Offers Schools Two Free Production Units to Stream Events Through “High School Support Program”
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 7, 2020) — As high schools nationwide continue to deal with the fallout from COVID-19 and make plans for the restarting of activities this fall, the NFHS Network – the leader in streaming live and on-demand high school sports – has announced an unprecedented offer for schools that are facing possible attendance restrictions at events during the 2020-21 school year.
Through its High School Support Program, the NFHS Network is offering up to two free Pixellot automated-production units for schools that lack production capabilities to stream events on the NFHS Network.
The offer of two Pixellot units – one for indoor events and the other for outdoor contests – has been extended to all 19,500 high schools in the 51 NFHS member state associations. The NFHS Network is a joint venture of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), its member state associations and PlayOn! Sports.
In addition to receiving […]
07/06/20 – ‘COVID-19 for Coaches and Administrators’ Course Now Available from NFHS Learning Center
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 6, 2020) — In an effort to address the challenges of returning to high school athletics and activities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Learning Center has collaborated with the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) to develop a new free online course “COVID-19 for Coaches and Administrators.”
The course includes information from the “Guidance for Opening Up High School Athletics and Activities” document that was released by the NFHS in May for its 51 member state high school associations to consider in restarting high school athletics and other activity programs across the nation.
Additionally, the new Learning Center course offers vital information on COVID-19 for coaches and school administrators on conducting workouts, practices and contests as safely as possible, according to Dan Schuster, NFHS director of educational services.
“While we know states – and communities within states – are in different […]
2020-21 KHSAA Board of Control Committees Assignments
President- Billings, Darrell President-Elect- Miller, Marlon
Executive Committee-Evaluation/Leadership/Audit/Finance Team
Billings, Darrell (President)
Miller, Marlon (President-Elect)
Galloway, Pete (former President)
Hawkins, Scott (former President)
Lovett, Trent
Smith, Kirby
Wyman, Jerry (former President)
Hall of Fame Selection Committee
BOARD- 2nd-year members (2023) and 4th-year members (2021)
STAFF
Angolia, Joe (Permanent)
Cope, Butch (Permanent)
Tackett, Julian (Permanent)
Bridenbaugh, Sarah
Collins, Chad
Mitchell, Marilyn
MEDIA (A minimum of 5 media representatives)
Hall-of Fame Screening Committee
BOARD-1st-year members (2024) and 3rd-year members (2022)
DESIGNATED EXECUTIVE STAFF MEMBERS
Angolia, Joe (Permanent)
Cope, Butch (Permanent)
Tackett, Julian (Permanent)
Barren, Mike
Bilberry, Darren
White, Dan
MEDIA (A minimum of 5 media representatives)
Whistle Blower Committee (4th-year members)
Garrison, Alvin *
Hawkins, Scott
Lovett, Trent *
Parker-Brown, Kim
NFHS Summer Meeting (2nd-year members entering the third year, plus President, President-Elect, and any serving former President)
Billings, Darrell
Galloway, Pete
Hawkins, Scott
Miller, Marlon
Wyman, Jerry
Beichler, Debbie
Howard, Greg *
[…]
2020-21 KHSAA Board of Control Meeting Dates
2020-2021 TENTATIVE DRAFT BOARD OF CONTROL MEETING SCHEDULE
**Thu, July 9 (new and returning member orientation only),
Fri, July 10 (work session and meeting)- Board of Control, Covington
Wed, September 16, 2020, Lexington, KHSAA
Wed, November 18, 2020, Lexington, KHSAA
Thu, January 21, 2021, Lexington, KHSAA
Wed, February 17, 2021, Lexington, KHSAA
Tue, May 4 & 5, 2021, Lexington, KHSAA
2020-21 KHSAA Board of Control Members
Darrell Billings
President, 2020-2021
Director, 2020-2024
Clay City
KDE Appointed Member
Private Enterprise, Tanner Chrysler Products Inc., Stanton
Marlon Miller
President-Elect, 2020-2021
Director, 2018-2022
Louisville
Principal
Martin Luther King Elementary School
Regions 1-8
Alvin Garrison
Director, 2020-2021
Covington
Superintendent
Covington Independent Schools
Regions 9-16
Debbie Beichler
Director, 2019-2023
Mt. Washington
KDE Appointed Member
Retired Educator
Kimberly Parker-Brown
Director, 2017-2021
Lexington
KDE Appointed Member
Faculty, Midway College
Larry Coldiron
Director, 2021-2024
Raceland
Raceland-Worthington Independent Schools
Superintendent
Regions 15-16
James Demler
Director, 2020-2024
Covington
Athletic Director
Villa Madonna Academy
Regions 9-16
Mark Evans
Director, 2018-2022
Louisville
Athletic Director
Mercy Academy
Regions 1-8
Pete Galloway
President, 2019-2020
Director, 2018-2022
Sedalia
KDE Appointed Member
Retired Educator
Scott Hawkins
Director, 2017-2021
Versailles
Superintendent
Woodford County Schools
Regions 11-12- More
07/06/20 – High School Field Hockey Eyewear Rule Altered for 2020 Season
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — In response to longstanding concerns regarding the wearing of goggles in high school field hockey, the NFHS Board of Directors approved a change in the eyewear rule that will take effect with the upcoming 2020 season.
Rule 1-6-5 in the NFHS Field Hockey Rules Book, which currently states that “All field players shall wear eye protection that met the ASTM standard for field hockey (2713) at the time of manufacture,” will now state that “Goggles may be worn by all field hockey players.”
In addition to the current rule, an additional note was due to take effect in 2020 as follows: “Beginning in the 2020 fall season, all eye protection shall be permanently labeled with the ASTM 2713 standard for field hockey at the time of manufacture.”
Since goggles were mandated by the NFHS Board of Directors in 2011 with the intent to lessen the risk of catastrophic eye injuries, there have […]