TUCSON, Arizona — The AIA has approved a fall sports calendar that will begin in stages, and it is not moving football and other sports to the spring.
Golf will be the first sport to begin practice, commencing on August 17th. Football will now start practicing on September 7th, with games beginning on October 1st.
"The health and safety of our student participants, coaches, officials and essential personnel, including volunteers, is the primary concern for the return of interscholastic athletics and activities," said AIA Executive Director David Hines. "We are very grateful to those who share our commitment of a return to these highly beneficial educational activities and athletics."
Numerous football coaches had wanted the AIA to move fall sports to the spring as it was done in California. Hines has previously said he didn't want to impact the spring sports for a second straight year, or force athletes to choose a sport.
The AIA states the schedule does allow for schools and districts who are not able to start on the earliest possible date to join competition when possible.
"We would like to thank our member schools and our school communities for their patience as we worked through the challenges to develop this plan," Hines said.
Golf First practice – Aug. 17 First competition – Aug. 24 Championships – Oct. 26-29 (Div. I), Nov. 2-5 (Div. II)
Cross Country First Practice – Aug. 24 First Competition – Sept. 9Championships – Nov. 12-13
Swimming & Diving First Practice – Aug. 24 First Competition – Sept. 14 Championships – Nov. 5-7
Badminton First Practice – Aug. 31 First Competition – Sept. 14 Championships – Nov. 7 (Individuals), Nov. 9-12 (Teams)
Fall Soccer First Practice – Aug. 31 First Competition – Sept. 16 Championships – Nov. 4-7
Volleyball First Practice – Aug. 31 First Competition – Sept. 21Championships – Nov. 12-21
Football First Practice – Sept. 7 First Competition – Sept. 30-Oct. 3 Championships – Dec. 11/12 (4A-6A & Open)
The 1A-3A conferences are currently discussing possibilities for length of their regular seasons and when to hold state championships.
