KHSAA eliminates summer dead period, coaches and athletes can meet starting June 1

KHSAA’s Board of Control met virtually on Thursday to make decisions going forward after the mandated dead period for all sports and sports related activities ends on May 31.

Commissioner Julian Tackett started the meeting by saying, “contrary to the belief of a lot of people out there, we don’t have the authority to do our own thing”. Adding that the KHSAA timeline shall not contradict and will be congruent with the Governor’s orders.

June 1-14, coaches will be allowed to meet with athletes in groups of 10 or less and adhere to social distancing guidelines. This time can be spent getting organized and completing physicals.

June 15-28, low-contact sports like golf and cross country can resume workouts and practicing in groups of 10 or less and high-impact sports like football and soccer can begin workouts and conditioning, also in groups of 10 or less.

June 29, low-impact sport competitions can begin and high-impact sports can begin team/group practices without competitions. No date yet on high-impact sports resuming competition.

The board voted 13-5 to eliminate the June 25-July 9 traditional summer dead period.

By a unanimous vote, the KHSAA will not provide an extra year of eligibility for those athletes that missed their spring sports season due to COVID-19.

Tackett talked about the value of athletics and getting the kids back with their coaches. Board members also emphasized that if families have previously scheduled plans during what would have normally been the summer dead period, they should go ahead with those plans.

Tackett said on Thursday, “staff will review policies and procedures based off Thursday’s actions and issue updated guidelines on Friday.”

Kentucky Guidance for Youth Sports and Athletic Activities