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While Virginia High School League (VHSL) spring sports and activities were canceled for the 2019-20 school year, there is still hope for spring sports and academic activities after the current academic year ends and into the summer, according to a recent VHSL press release.

The league reported in a March 23 release that its spring sports and activities were canceled due to Virginia Gov. Ralph S. Northam declaring all schools in the commonwealth closed for the remainder of the school year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The VHSL held a conference call Tuesday morning, March 24, with its VHSL Crisis Management Team to discuss all options relating to spring sports and academic activities after the current academic year ends and into the summer, the March 24 release stated. The VHSL Crisis Management Team unanimously recommended to delay any final action until May.

“While we recognize the importance sports has (to) our students and communities, the COVID-19 threat is real and people need to follow all the regulations and recommendations from the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) CDC, Virginia Department of Health and the governor,” VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. “Billy” Haun said in the release. “We must make that our No. 1 priority.”

He noted that the Crisis Management Team overwhelmingly felt a decision on an extension to the spring sports season should be put on hold until May. Any options for the spring sports season will require that COVID-19 is no longer a threat and poses no health risks to student-athletes or the public.

“This is extremely serious, and a lot has to happen before May for us to extend the season,” he said in the release. “In every situation, every decision we make has been, and will be made, in the best interest of our student-athletes and public safety.”