For Immediate Release: September 24, 2020 Contact: R. Andrew Warner Robert.Warner1@maryland.gov Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Announces Local School Systems May Officially Start High School Fall Sports Beginning October 7, 2020 BALTIMORE ​— Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Karen B. Salmon, Ph.D. today announced the ability for each local school system (LSS) to officially start the interscholastic athletic fall season in Maryland secondary schools beginning Wednesday, October 7, 2020. The decision of the State Superintendent was reached after recent discussions with ​the State Board of Education, the 24 local school system Superintendents, the Executive Director of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), parents, and other stakeholders. Additional considerations included current health metrics and guidance provided by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) as Maryland continues to operate in the early portion of Stage Three of its ​Roadmap to Recovery plan​. Local school systems, at their discretion, may opt into commencing a fall competition season or playing all three sport seasons within the​ ​Two-Semester Plan​ option announced by the MPSSAA on September 11, 2020. By electing to begin fall sports now, LSSs have the ability to start competitions on October 27, 2020, and play into the second week of December. The decision also affords greater opportunities for winter and spring sport competition during the 2020-2021 academic year. Complete information about both options​ may ​be found at​ ​www.mpssaa.org​. The MPSSAA, on July 7, 2020, released a​ ​Roadmap for the Return of Interscholastic Athletics​ to guide LSSs in the immediate preparation for the anticipated return of interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities. All LSSs are encouraged, as soon as possible, to begin conditioning sessions in preparation for the first official fall practice sessions. For more information on safely reopening Maryland schools, visit http://governor.maryland.gov/recovery-schools​. Get the latest reliable information on the coronavirus outbreak from the Maryland Department of Health at ​https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/ 200 West Baltimore Street ​•​ Baltimore, MD 21201 ​•​ 410-767-0100 ​•​ 410-333-6442 TTY/TDD MarylandPublicSchools.org Local School System Options Date Fall Sports October 7 Option 2nd Semester Plan Option First Available Practice Date: First Available Practice Date: Cross Country October 7, 2020 March 15, 2021 Field Hockey First Available Competition Date: First Available Competition Date: October 27, 2020 April 5, 2021 (Golf October 7, 2020) Last Play Date: Last Play Date: May 8, 2021​ December 12, 2020 Available Competition Weeks: Available Competition Weeks: 5 Weeks Football Golf Soccer Volleyball 7 Weeks Culminating Event/Tournament: December 14 - 19, 2020 Winter Sports First Available Practice Date: First Available Practice Date: Basketball December 14, 2020 February 1, 2021 Swimming and Diving First Available Competition Date: First Available Competition Date: Indoor Track January 4, 2021 February 22, 2021 Wrestling Last Play Date: Last Play Date: February 27, 2021 March 21, 2021 Available Competition Weeks: Available Competition Weeks: 8 Weeks 5 Weeks Culminating Event/Tournament: March 1 - 13, 2021 Spring Sports First Available Practice Date: First Available Practice Date: Baseball March 15, 2021 April 26, 2021 Softball First Available Competition Date: First Available Competition Date: April 5, 2021 May 16, 2021 Last Play Date: Last Play Date: June 5, 2021 June 19, 2021 Available Competition Weeks: Available Competition Weeks: 9 Weeks 5 Weeks Lacrosse Tennis Track and Field Culminating Event/Tournament: June 7-19, 2021 ###