WIAA plans to hold state tournaments

Renton – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has announced its intentions of going forward with its spring state championship tournaments should schools reopen on Monday, April 27.

Gov.Jay Inslee ordered all Washington K-12 schools to close this month for a minimum of six weeks to attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. April 27 is the soonest schools could open under the order.

WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman said his staff is operating under the hope schools will open at that time.

“It’s a well-known and often-used phrase that all coaches try to instill in their athletes, ‘Control what you can control,’” Hoffman said. “We are taking that wisdom into account and operating with the information that is available to us at this moment to plan for when we as educators can return to our athletic endeavors.”

Hoffman said salvaging part of the season is a priority.

“WIAA staff have conferred with WIAA District Directors, gathered feedback from the WIAA Student Leadership Committee, and received countless emails from students and parents urging the WIAA to preserve the state championship experience if the opportunity allows,” Hoffman said. “With schools currently scheduled to reopen [April 27], the WIAA will hold State Championship events as scheduled. Any further delays could put State Championships in jeopardy as no championships will be held after May 30 to avoid conflicts with graduation.”

This will leave very little time for districts to have regular seasons and district tournaments to determine who qualifies for state. How exactly districts will handle this will be decided at the district level, Hoffman said.

“Undoubtedly some creativity and imagination will be needed at the local level to make the most of a shortened season,” Hoffman said. “As part of that creative solution, we do recommend that schools and leagues organize a continuation of the regular season for schools that do not advance to State Championships. These games may be played through the end of State Championships on May 30.”

Hoffman said these efforts aimed at providing what’s best for the students.

“While nothing will be able to replace the time taken away from these students, especially seniors, providing more avenues to create lifelong memories with their teammates should be the ultimate goal,” Hoffman said.