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CHARLOTTESVILLE

The VHSL Executive Committee during its May meeting on Thursday voted to cancel all spring sports and activities for the remainder of the school year due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

“This extremely difficult decision was made knowing the great disappointment our student-athletes, academic activity participants, coaches, administrators, parents and their communities will experience. We share those same feelings as well,” said VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. “Billy” Haun. “We especially grieve with those senior athletes and activity participants who will not have an opportunity to represent their school or wear their school jersey one final time after years of hard work and dedication.”

The VHSL decided in a meeting on March 24 to delay a decision on the spring season, leaving its options open for some sort of competition in May if the virus had improved.

“Any options for the spring sports season would require that COVID-19 no longer be a threat and pose no health risks to our student-athletes or to the public,” Haun continued in the statement. “Sadly, the situation has not changed and has made it impossible to have a spring season without putting people at risk.

“While we recognize the importance sports has on our students and communities, we need to follow all the regulations and recommendations from the Governor, the Virginia Department of Health and the CDC. Every decision we make, and will make looking forward, will be in the best interest of our student-athletes and the public. Safety will always be our number one priority.”