No Salem High School Winter Sports Until 2021

SALEM, MA — Just four days before what was to be the first day of winter season sports practice at Salem High, the district decided to "temporarily" postpone the start of the season until at least January.

Salem Public Schools said Thursday afternoon that, at the recommendation of the Salem Board of Health, it will delay basketball, gymnastics and swimming "until the beginning of January."

The district said it will provide student-athletes updated plans for tryouts, practices and potential games prior to Jan. 4.

"I want to be clear that this is not a cancellation," Salem Superintendent Stephen Zrike said Thursday afternoon. "I've had some questions about that. It is a delay of the season."

The delay comes amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the city and across the state.

"We want to make sure we are monitoring for spread and make sure we are carefully planning health and safety protocols," Zrike said, "which are obviously very different during a sporting event indoors, in person where there is a lot of contact, than it is with our classrooms where we have clear protocols about distancing and how student eat, and when they have breaks, and mask-wearing."

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association last month announced winter season rules modifications aimed at lessening physical contact and increasing safety for an indoor season. Schools sports took place in mostly outdoor sports this fall.

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