Fall Update
This morning, the VHSL Executive Committee voted to approve Model 3 in the re-opening of high school sports and activities. This model delays sports and activities until December 14 and keeps all sports in the seasons where they are currently aligned.
We are currently developing plans to reopen fall athletics and activities. These plans will be made with the well-being of student-athletes, coaches, officials, and others, in mind. Any plan to reopen will be in accordance with the Governor's orders to reopen schools.
The VHSL held a conference call this morning with the VHSL Crisis Management Team to discuss options relating to spring sports and activities after the current academic year. The VHSL Crisis Management Team unanimously recommended to delay any final action until May.
We have GOOD NEWS!
As some of you may have heard, we have reinstated out-of-season practice activities. This decision was made in alignment with the Governor's Return to School announcement earlier this week.
UPDATE:
The governor will announce plans to reopen Virginia schools soon. Once details are released, VHSL staff and the VHSL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, will review the guidelines and develop a plan for reopening athletics and activities that follow those guidelines.
Yesterday, Gov. Northam signed an executive order that allows the VHSL Championship + 1 season to begin in December as planned. The VHSL has released our "Guidelines for Return to Participation,' which provides guidance for the safe reopening of sports and activities.
Due to the spread of the coronavirus, we have delayed the start of the spring sports season until March 30.
The outdoor track championships, tennis championships, and VHSL Spring Jubilee are not affected by this delay.
The situation will be re-evaluated on March 25.
1/2 Sad news. The VHSL offers its heartfelt condolences to the family of Brentsville District High School 3-sport star athlete Ryland Harris who lost his courageous battle with brain cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Harris family, the Brentsville school community,
UPDATE
Last week we announced that masks must be worn during games and practices. However, EO 72 exempts mask mandates while exercising. So, masks will NOT be required to be worn during games and practices. We still strongly recommend the use of masks whenever possible.
The VHSL Football State Championships are set!
Class 1: Galax v. Riverheads
Class 2: Appomattox v. Stuarts Draft
Class 3: Hopewell v. Lord Botetourt
Class 4: Lake Taylor v. Tuscarora
Class 5: Maury v. Stone Bridge
Class 6: Oscar Smith v. South County
UPDATE
Friday, Gov. Northam announced restrictions for in-person gatherings. These restrictions apply to spectators and does NOT prevent VHSL contests from being held. We will update you if things change.
Statement from VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. "Billy" Haun:
Today, the VHSL Executive Committee unanimously voted to adopt the "Championships + 1" schedule for the FY 2021 athletic and academic activities season.
The full release and schedule is available at:
The VHSL extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Mark Fischer, the former football coach at Louisa County High School, who died after a courageous battle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire Lion community.
#louisalions
#vhsl
Reminder:
Student-athletes must submit the VHSL Physical Form to their school's principal, after May 1, 2020, to be a member of a VHSL program during the 2020-21 school year. However, the Physical Form is NOT required for out-of-season workouts.
A very Happy
#NationalCoachesDay
to all of the coaches in the Commonwealth! You all mentor, teach, and empower student-athletes everyday.
Tell us about a coach that has had an impact on your life!
We hear your comments and concerns and we just want to say that we are advocating to get capacity risen beyond 250. We are also advocating for cheerleaders and band members to remove the tag of "spectators". Though as things stand we must abide by EO 72 and we are still 1/2
We are so excited to see basketball and cheer practices resume across the state! This is one step closer to organized games taking place. We would like to thank the coaches, administrators, and student-athletes for making this possible!
UPDATE
As you may have heard, the VHSL will require student-athletes to wear face masks during competitions and practices. This action was made as a result of an increase in COVID-19 cases statewide and new mandates from the Governor.
UPDATE:
Today, the VHSL Executive Committee voted to hold a meeting on Monday, July, 27, to vote and announce our plan for the reopening of sports and activities. The committee also voted to delay the beginning of fall sports and to suspend the July-August dead period in 2020.
The VHSL Executive Committee will meet Thursday, June 25 to discuss the reopening of schools under the Gov.’s “Return to School” plan and how it relates to fall sports and academic activities. Budget issues will also be discussed.
The VHSL would like to send out our thoughts and prayers to T.R. Williams, pitcher at
@PageCountyHS
and
@HokiesBaseball
signee. He is dealing with serious medical issues right now and we hope for a full recovery.
VHSL Football Championship matchups are all set.
Class 6 – Oscar Smith vs. South County
Class 5 – Highland Springs vs. Stone Bridge
Class 4 – Lake Taylor vs. Salem (Salem)
Class 3 – Lafayette vs. Lord Botetourt
Class 2 – Stuarts Draft vs. Appomattox County
1/2
Due to the winter weather advisory forecast of 4-6 inches of snow expected across various parts of Virginia all championship football games for Sat., Dec. 9 are postponed and are re-scheduled for Sun, Dec. 10. This decision was reached with the utmost concern for travel safety.
This morning, the VHSL Executive Committee voted to cancel all 2019-20 spring sports and activities due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. This decision was made with public safety as a priority. Read the statement from the VHSL Executive Director, Dr. John W. "Billy" Haun:
We are deeply saddened by the passing of three
@TabbHighSchoolT
students. We would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and the Tabb High School community. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The
@AllstateFDN
and VHSL have joined forces to award $28,500 in scholarships to 19 VA high school seniors from across the state. These Achievement Awards are bestowed upon students who excel in the classroom, their communities, and in athletic and academic activities.
This is the one-handed, state-title-winning TD grab in overtime by Jacob Thomas to lift Stone Bridge High School (Va.) to a state title:
@SBHS_Athletics
As we move closer to fall sports, we would like to see some of the ways you/your team have been staying active. Send us videos, pictures, or anything that shows off the work you've been putting in!
Saturday, Dr. James Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction for Virginia provided clarification to school superintendents that during the two weeks that Virginia’s public schools are closed, all school-sponsored activities, including athletics and practices, are not allowed.
In recognition of the hard work Athletic Directors did during the 2020-21 school year, the VHSL has partnered with
@virginia529
to recognize the efforts of these individuals. The Region 6D honoree is Westfield athletic director Terri Towle.
@DSATowle
@Westfield_Live
We wanted to clarify that a fall athletic schedule can not be created until we are out of Phase III. We are as excited as you all are to get athletics and activities back!
Today, the VHSL Executive Committee met to discuss Fall Sports and the FY2021 Budget. With VA currently in Phase II, and Phase III schedules to start on July 1, VHSL staff did not put forth any recommendations for fall athletic schedules.
The VHSL continues to meet with superintendents, principals, athletic directors, and others to develop multiple scenarios in which fall athletics and activities can return safely.
Stay tuned to our Twitter and Facebook for updates.
We would like to thank everyone for their understanding and support. We would also like to thank the VHSL Executive Committee and athletic administrators for their work. The health and safety of student athletes remains our main priority as we move towards a season.
The VHSL is saddened to learn of the passing of Stonewall Jackson (Quicksburg) cross country runner, Martin Fernandez, after his courageous battle with brain cancer. Page County High School hosted Stonewall, Luray and Madison County yesterday in XC and after the meet had a 1/2
Without officials:
Students couldn’t play.
Coaches couldn’t coach.
Fans couldn’t cheer.
There is a shortage of high school sports officials. Will you step up?
#BecomeAnOfficial
Tuesday morning, the VHSL will hold a conference call with the VHSL Crisis Management Team to discuss all options relating to spring sports and activities after the current academic year. The VHSL will announce a decision on Tuesday following the meeting.
VHSL Announces 2023 Class 3 All-State Football Team
Liberty Christian Academy’s Gideon Davidson selected offensive POY; Lafayette’s Peter Cook selected defensive POY; Liberty Christian Academy’s Frank Rocco named Coach of the Year
Happy Mothers Day to all moms, grandmothers, and mother figures. We honor all the sacrifices and service of Americas mothers in uniform. We owe a debt of gratitude to our working moms; healthcare providers,1st responders, our teachers who have been heroes during this COVID year!
The VHSL offers its well wishes and prayers for Henrico High School (
@_WarriorNation1
) football player Samar Lemons for a complete recovery after sustaining a neck fracture during Friday’s game against Douglas Freeman. Stay strong!:
Keith Perrigan (
@BristolSuper
), Superintendent of Bristol Public Schools offers his thoughts on the Governor’s Order to limit spectators at VHSL activities (Via
@BHCSports
):
Working with the VA Dept. of Health and the VA Dept. of Education, the VHSL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has developed recommended guidelines for school divisions as they reopen high school sports and activities.
VHSL Recommended Guidelines:
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of
@GlenvarHigh
AD Richard McElwee. McElwee was one of the best VA had to offer. We would like to extend our condolences to his friends, family, and the entire Glenvar community. He will be greatly missed.
VHSL 2021 First Round Playoffs Pairings – Final 2021 Ratings and Top 20 Rankings:
Playoff Pairings Brackets -
Final Weekly Ratings-
Final Top 20 Region Rankings-
-The summer "dead period" from June 29 to July 4 is suspended for 2020 ONLY.
-Any future decisions will be made in compliance with the Governor's orders and with the best interests of our student-athletes in mind.
We have an exciting announcement! The VHSL is creating a student advisory committee to allow student voices for the purpose of providing the Executive Director and staff input on current issues facing students in VHSL sponsored athletic and academic activities.
This marks the end of the Winter season, we would like to thank all the schools, coaches, writers, administrators, athletes, parents, and officials for a wonderful winter season. We look forward to what is in store for the spring season.
VHSL Announces 2023 Class 5 All-State Football Team
Maury’s Autori Newkirk selected offensive POY; Maury’s Fred Johnson Jr. selected defensive POY; Maury’s Dyrri McCain named Coach of the Year
Hear from VHSL Executive Director John W. "Billy" Haun as he explains that we are still on track for the return of high school sports and activities on December 7 (via
@WDVMTV
):
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Carroll Bickers. Coach Bickers is a Virginia legend for how many lives he touched. He was a skilled and respected coach, educator, and administrator. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
Is this the Play of the Year? Stone Bridge’s Ezekiel Wimbush catches the winning TD pass on the final play in the Class 5 VHSL state championship game to give the Bulldogs a 27-21 over Maury.
The VHSL joins the King George community in expressing our deepest sorrow and most sincere condolences to the parents and family of A.J. Gibson, who died while participating as a member of the King George basketball team.
It's a proven fact. High school students who participate in sports and activities most often have higher grades than their peers.
#MyReasonWhy
@NFHS_Org
#vhsl
We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Gabe Henderson. We would like to offer our thoughts and deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire
@DRathletics
community. He will be greatly missed.
Today, the VHSL Executive Committee met to discuss Fall Sports and the FY2021 Budget. With VA currently in Phase II, and Phase III schedules to start on July 1, VHSL staff did not put forth any recommendations for fall athletic schedules.