OHSAA Zoom Meeting With Interim Director Bob Goldring

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

A day following Governor Mike DeWine’s approval of contact sports (i.e., field hockey, football and soccer), Bob Goldring, the interim Director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, met with the media via a Zoom conference call. Litter Media was on the call.

The option to play in the spring creates a new issue for the OHSAA. When asked if there would be a playoff for schools opting for spring and if the fall season were to be interrupted, if those playing would be able to play in the new spring arrangement. It was just one of the topics covered.

Goldring says don’t look for championships for a spring season for the sports which otherwise would play in fall. “Our intention isn’t to offer another tournament opportunity.” As long as they’re able to hold their post season during the fall season, those would be the champions for the sport. “We don’t know what lies ahead with COVID or what lies ahead with what opportunities we’re going to provide. Our main focus is this fall, providing our normal tournament opportunities as they’ve been offered in the past. We want to encourage schools as much as they feel it’s safe and they feel it’s reasonable to go ahead and participate this fall.

On a conference call Tuesday night with coaches and athletic administrators, the Governor reminded the schools there would be limited spectators, permitting only four family members or loved ones close to each player, in addition to cheerleaders, the marching bands and coaches. When asked about the same for those limitations for the families of cheerleaders and band members, Goldring said they were waiting the Health Director’s Order which had yet to be released for review to be able to give a direct answer to those participants. The capacity for a school’s permanent seating will also factor into who will be permitted as spectators.

The Order was released late Wednesday.

Director’s Order that Provides Mandatory Requirements for Youth, Collegiate, Amateur, Club, and Professional Sports