The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association continues to work in collaboration with the Department of Health Services and the WIAA Sports Medical Advisory Committee to provide guidance for increasing summer activities. Prioritizing the health and safety of all students and staff remain the focus. These resources are subject to change with ongoing updates based on new information and changing conditions relative to Covid-19.
The WIAA believes it is essential to the physical and mental well-being of student-athletes in grades 6-12 to return to organized physical activity and build team relationships with their peers and coaches.
Each WIAA member school’s athletic department will operate with the approval of their school leadership in moving forward through any and all “Return to Play” guidance from the CDC, Wisconsin DHS, NFHS, and WIAA throughout the summer and fall.
It will be the decision of each local school district administrator to determine if they can safely conduct interscholastic athletic activities. If it is determined that a season can be safely conducted, it will be the responsibility of the member school to provide proper administrative supervision at contests to assure compliance with these guidelines. The district administrator is strongly encouraged to designate a single point of contact with the local/tribal health department.
UPDATE - Tournament Information (2/10/2021)
The reduction by the CDC in December was created to get people back to work (masked and isolated) - so employees did not lose jobs and could make money to provide for their family and essential duties could be done/provided to the community. To quote the CDC: "reducing the length of quarantine may make it easier for people to quarantine by reducing the time they cannot work" and "Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19".
The main rationale behind the new quarantine options is that transmission risk after 10 days (without testing) and 7 days (with testing) is an acceptable trade-off in order to (1) reduce the burden of a 14-day quarantine and (2) increase compliance (hopefully), as long as there is still strict symptom monitoring, mask use, and social distancing while in public through day 14. As we know, social distancing is very difficult, if not impossible, for most athletic practices and competitions.
A membership survey was conducted and 28.5% of the respondents could not participate if the uniform 14 day quarantine was not applied during the WIAA tournaments. Potentially excluding those members because they are adhering to the letter of the CDC guidelines would be wrong. In addition, 64.5% of schools are using the 14 day quarantine according to the membership survey.
In its final assessment, the Board of Control reaffirmed the 14-day quarantine protocol during the WIAA tournaments which was made based on feedback from the membership survey and the rationale by the CDC with strict symptom monitoring, mask use, and social distancing while in public through day 14. The Board also recognized the need to have a single, uniform membership requirement to carry us through the tournament season.
For students exposed/close contact or positive - before tournament series begins - must be quarantined 14 days before able to enter and play in tournament series.
Reminder: Cloth masks must be appropriately worn by all at the WIAA tournaments. (The blue disposable surgical masks are allowed.) The masks shall be worn as manufactured. Mesh masks do not provide protection and are not allowed.
As many may have seen, preliminary spring guidelines were published in the WIAA Bulletin. The spring Covid-19 guidelines are being finalized and will be sent the WIAA Sport Medical Advisory Committee for their review and approval. We will inform athletic directors when they are posted on the web site. Alternative Fall schools are to follow the guidelines from last fall.
WIAA Return to Fall/Alternate Fall Sport Considerations - Updated 4/6/21 (Cross Country competition language)
WIAA Winter Sport Considerations - These have been updated in accordance with new CDC guidelines
WIAA Spring 2021 Sport Considerations
Contact/Symptom Checklist | WIAA Event Requirements & Symptom Verification
CDC Covid Symptoms Information
Medical Clearance Form – for Sports Participation After Positive Test or Symptoms of Covid-19 - updated in accordance with new CDC guidelines
Flow Chart to Determine Medical Clearance for Return to Play
Graduated Return to Play Form - Sample form
Cardiopulmonary Considerations for Student-Athletes
NFHS Officials' Considerations for Returning to Officiating
CDC Ventilation in Buildings
Guidance Resources
Culminating Events Attendance Policy-Winter Tournaments
Culminating Events Attendance Policy-Fall Tournaments
COVID-19 in Wisconsin High School Athletics - NEW | WIAA Support | UW Madison IRB
WIAA Sports Medical Advisory Committee (McGuine) Return to Play PowerPoint
Impact of School Closures on Sports Cancellations - Dr. Tim McGuine | Virtual Video Presentation
NFHS Guidance for Opening High School Athletics & Activities
NFHS Statement on Risk of Covid-19 During HS Sports
Other Resources
Cardiopulmonary Considerations
NCS4 Covid-19 Considerations for Sport Venues & Events
Marshfield Clinic Athletic Training Recommendations
WACPC Summer Guidance
Wilson Ball Disinfecting Recommendations
Spalding Ball Cleaning Recommendations
Guidelines for the Prevention, Investigation, and Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in K-12 Schools in Wisconsin - UPDATED 12/17/20