UNDATED – Governor Kristi Noem announced on Monday that schools across the state would not be able to finish out the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year, and said students would not return to the classroom.
The Governor had hoped to get students back in early May, but made the decision to keep them out in response to the COVID-19 situation.
That decision has all but ended any possibility for having a spring sports season. It will also mean the state basketball tournaments will have to be cancelled as well.
The South Dakota High School Activities Association released the following statement Monday afternoon:
With the Governor’s announcement of in-person school closure for the remainder of the school year, all remaining SDHSAA events for 2019-20, to include all spring activities and all postponed winter events, are cancelled.
This is an unprecedented time across our state and country, and we do not make this decision lightly.
We thank all of the participants, their coaches/directors/advisors/ administration, their parents, and everyone else who has dedicated tremendous amounts of time, passion, and effort to these events.
To our senior participants- we thank you for everything you have done for your schools and communities and wish you the very best in your bright futures.
This is difficult, but the lessons you’ve learned and friendships you’ve made through high school activities will last your lifetime.
The cancellation will be formalized at the April 21st Regular Meeting of the SDHSAA Board of Directors.
We look forward to the resumption of high school activities during the 2020-21 school year, and will continue work on those events at this time.
The SDHSAA thanks everyone involved for their patience and understanding throughout this process.
– Dr. Dan Swartos, SDHSAA Executive Director
