Covid-19 Updates for Track Officials

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As the news  of current issues of Covid-19 come to light  there have been a lot of questions as to the track season. We will do our best to keep you updated with official news as it comes to us. Please use the form on the website if you know of updates and be sure to include any links to official notification.

Visit CDC.gov for more information

 1) From the SWTFOA Certification Chair Jim Carlisle:

USATF Officials Re certification for the 2021-2024 Olympiad will occur after November 1, 2020 (not after the rescheduled Olympic games in 2021).

For those of you who are not receiving the monthly USATF National Officials Committee (NOC) newsletter, here is the link to sign up:

https://us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=1a0346e06922886956c10c4e0&id=e4884c838e

There is valuable information for every level of official.

2) An e-mail was just sent today notifying that the USATF National Hershey Junior Olympic Championships in Jacksonville, FL, 7/27-8/2, have officially been cancelled.

3) The status of the USATF Southwestern Association championships is still up in the air - dates of when society will return to "normal" are very fluid, as we all know. No one can say, at this time, whether or not the 2 meets (the Junior Olympics and the Open & Masters Championships) will even take place, but after reading #2 above, it does not look good. I will pass along info as soon as I receive it.

USATF Coronavirus Information Page

UIL Athletics homepage

UIL Athletics Coronavirus updates page

NCAA Coronavirus information page

Officials needed

2020 USATF Region 12 Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships 

Ratliff Stadium & Odessa College Odessa, TX 

Tuesday, July 7th -11th, 2020

USATF Certified Officials only

Please complete the application available on the news links page if you are interested in being considered for selection to officiate the 2020 USATF Regional 12 Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships 

The Southeastern Conference today announced that all regular season conference and non-conference competitions are canceled for the remainder of the 2019-20 athletic year, including all remaining SEC championship events, due to continuing developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

In addition, all spring football games are canceled and there will be no pro days conducted by SEC institutions.

"This is a difficult day for all of us, and I am especially disappointed for our student-athletes," said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. "The health and well-being of our entire conference community is an ongoing priority for the SEC as we continue to monitor developments and information about the COVID-19 virus."

Other athletics activities, including team and individual practices, meetings and other organized gatherings, whether required or voluntary, remain suspended through at least April 15.

SEC member institutions will continue to provide their student-athletes with care and support to meet needs in areas including academics, medical care, mental health and wellness, nutrition and housing as needed.

The SEC and its member institutions will continue to communicate with public health officials and medical experts to determine the best path forward related to coronavirus pandemic.

TICKET REFUND INFORMATION

For the SEC Softball Tournament and the SEC Baseball Tournament, automatic full ticket refunds will be made by March 31 to fans who purchased tickets from the SEC Office or an SEC university.

https://www.secsports.com/article/28917409/sec-statement-remaining-2020-competition

 Due to the on-going developments related to COVID-19 the Big 12 Conference announces that all organized team activities whether organized or voluntary, including team and individual practices, meetings, and other organized gatherings, have been suspended until March 29 and will be re-evaluated at that time.  In addition, all conference and non-conference competitions are cancelled through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year.
 

 https://big12sports.com/news/2020/3/13/baseball-big-12-statement-on-athletics-activities.aspx 

 NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Conference has announced that the league is canceling all organized athletics-related activities, including regular-season competitions, conference championships and practices, through the remainder of the academic year.

This decision was made in consultation with the league's Presidents, Chancellors and Directors of Athletics to address growing concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

 https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2020/3/16/general-sun-belt-conference-statement-on-organized-athletics-activities.aspx 

 DALLAS – Effective immediately by a unanimous vote of the Conference USA Board of Directors, all spring sport competition and championships have been canceled.
 

 https://conferenceusa.com/news/2020/3/16/general-c-usa-cancels-spring-sport-competition.aspx 

 March 19

AUSTIN — The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is extending its suspension of all UIL sanctioned activities due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Texas. All contests, practices, rehearsals and workouts will remain suspended until further notice.  

At this time, the earliest games and contests may resume is Monday, May 4th. Prior to this date, the UIL will allow its member schools a reasonable acclimatization period for rehearsals and practices to occur. All decisions remain flexible and will be consistent with the advice of local, state and federal officials. 

“We are working diligently on contingency plans to conduct state championships in each of the activities that have been suspended,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “While the immediate future is unclear, we are committed to providing these much-desired activities to all Texas students and will prepare for all possible outcomes, including extended school closures.” 

The UIL will continue to provide timely, ongoing updates and is reassessing this ever-changing situation daily. Please continue to check the UIL website  and social media accounts for further updates. 

 As of yesterday 3/16/2020 the NJCAA canceled all spring sports.  It comes with mixed emotions as I look at the hard work student/athletes put into their training efforts however this is the right decision as it relates to the health of all involved. 

Good afternoon- As the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic has persisted, the UCO Endeavor Games team, and many of our sport venues, have been forced to make some hard decisions.

Due to the closing of several of our venues through the end of June, we will unfortunately not be able to host the 2020 UCO Endeavor Games June 4-7 as planned.

Our team is actively trying to find a later date to host the 2020 Games, and that information will be communicated to you as soon as we have something confirmed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during what we know is a difficult time for all of us. We appreciate your support more than we can express.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need additional information.

Thanks!

Cassidhe Walker
Coordinator, Adaptive Sports & Events
She/Her/Hers

“­Empowering each other to live, learn and play well.”