Beech Tree News Network

High school football and other fall sports (volleyball, soccer, cross-country, etc.) remain on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s (KHSAA) calendar following an affirmative vote by the organization’s Board of Control on Thursday.  Prep sports seasons have been in doubt due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the government’s response to it.

By a 16-2 margin, the KHSAA voted to keep its current schedule for fall sports.  Sports can officially begin practice on Monday, August 24, with competition beginning the week of September 7.  High school football is now scheduled to start Friday, September 11, and will feature a nine-game regular season.  Golf began in late July.

The action by the KHSAA Board of Control is subject to approval by Governor Andy Beshear, the Kentucky Department of Education, and the Kentucky Department of Public Health.  

At his daily news conference on Thursday, Gov. Beshear said he was “surprised” by the KHSAA decision to go ahead with a full fall sports season.  

Beshear said he would have to “think it through” regarding the KHSAA decision.  

“I believe a student-athlete is a student first and an athlete second,” he said. “Just about all of our student-athletes out there are ultimately going to make their livings with their mind.”

The Board of Control voted down other options that would have pushed the start of fall sports to later on the calendar.