CHSAANow

Category: Association

  • Q&A: Assistant commissioner Adam Bright gives details on football’s move to the spring

    Prairie Peetz football
    (Dustin Price/DustinPricePhotography.com)

    Football has been moved to the spring as part of Season C of the new 2020-21 CHSAA sports calendar.

    What does that mean for the sport? We caught up with CHSAA assistant commissioner Adam Bright, who oversees football, to ask.

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    Question: What was the reasoning behind moving football to the spring?

    Bright: Given current state guidelines, football and contact sports would not be able to resume on a normal calendar.

    This is a year where we have to forget what the top of the calendar says. It really doesn’t matter what month it is. We have to be focused on the fact that the season is able to play, period. The fact that we are able to give these kids a chance to compete, to participate with their teammates, learn from their coaches, is what matters.

    Q: OK spill the details … how many games, what do playoffs look like, and so on? What’s the plan?

    Bright: It will start on Feb. 22, and run through May 8. Games will begin on March 4. There will not be a scrimmage week, nor will there be “foundation games” this season. Because of that, games will begin at the end of the second week of practice. Thursday, March 4 would be the first allowable game, meaning that teams will conduct practices Monday through Saturday during that first week, then would need three practices from Monday to Wednesday of the second week to achieve the mandatory nine practices prior to the first game.

    The football season will be seven weeks long. Given that football is played only one game per week, seven games allows for a season that resembles a “normal” season and maximizes contests during the same number of weeks as other sports.

    Football is being allowed to start practice a week earlier than other sports in Season C because of the required number of practices to begin play. And because it only has one game per week, the football postseason is extended an additional week to allow for a longer postseason.

    Q: So with the season being reduced to seven games, how will scheduling work?

    Bright: To build a schedule, we will build off of what their fall 2020 season was to look like. We will send this information to athletic directors so that there is a clear understanding of what schedules will look like.

    The overarching goal is to have teams begin their schedules roughly midway through what would have been their normal schedule. For example, 5A and 4A will begin in Week 4 and play games 4-10 as games 1-7. In 3A the season would include Weeks 5-11, with 2A and below starting on Week 4 and playing through Week 10. Our friends in 6-man football would play games regularly scheduled in weeks 3 through 9 as games 1-7.

    Obviously, there are things like bye weeks and out-of-state games for some teams in Weeks 4 and 5 mostly, and we will work in conjunction with athletic directors to build a database of open weeks for teams to fill. The expectation is teams will play their condensed season as scheduled, utilizing the database as a resource to fill previously scheduled bye weeks.

    Q: In my best Jim Mora voice: “Playoffs? You want to talk about playoffs?”

    Bright: The football postseason will see a reduction to eight teams in each classification. These eight teams will all enter the postseason at the same time, and championships will all be done on the same weekend.

    As we have seen, things can change quickly within the pandemic, and as such, logistics like location and time for these championship games will be a work in progress as we move closer to that time. Seeding and qualification for the postseason will be based on the four data points within the CHSAA Seeding Index, with the top eight eligible teams in each classification being placed in the postseason.

    Q: Are there any practice limits or other items that would be different than a “normal” season?

    Bright: Again, as things can change during this pandemic, we would have to take a wait and see approach. We have discussed various practice guidelines and scenarios based on different levels of COVID-19 restrictions and outbreaks. To speak to what the end of February and the month of March will require on the 4th of August is premature.

    If we do foresee needs for practice guidelines that differ from those in the past, I can assure our coaches that they will have plenty of time to implement any changes if necessary.

  • We are patiently and respectfully awaiting a response on return-to-play plan

    As we continue to patiently await a response to our resumption plans submitted to the state’s COVID-19 Response team, commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green tweeted the following on Friday:

  • Softball and boys tennis given approval to start practice; response on other sports expected by week’s end

    Elizabeth Ponderosa softball
    (Lisa Hayes/StillOfTheMomentPhotography.com)

    Softball and boys tennis have been given approval to begin play this fall.

    The sports were approved as part of CHSAA’s return-to-play plan submitted to the state’s COVID-19 Response team within the Governor’s office.

    CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green shared the news with member schools during the annual All-School Summit on Wednesday.

    Softball and boys tennis can begin practice as scheduled on Aug. 10, and competition on Aug. 13.

    Both sports will have modifications to their seasons in order to ensure they comply with current national, state and local health guidelines. Note that the resumption of any activity or sport is subject to change based upon any changes to national, state or local guidelines.

    As previously communicated, boys golf has also been approved to begin, and the sport will start practice on Aug. 3, and competition on Aug. 6.

    The CHSAA office is anticipating a decision from the COVID-19 Response team on the remaining sports by the end of the week. That said, there is an understanding of the careful consideration that is necessary at the state level as everyone navigates the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Upon approval of the submitted plan, the anticipation is that a full calendar can be shared for the 2020-21 season.

  • New athletic directors get an introduction to CHSAA during meeting

    (CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — More than 70 new athletic directors from around the state participated in a meeting on Tuesday morning, which helped introduce them to CHSAA membership.

    A major theme during the meeting was the importance of mentorship and relying upon other experience athletic directors as they navigate their first year, which can often feel like drinking from a firehose.

    “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, or seek advice from others,” Troy Baker, the athletic director at Buena Vista who is entering his second year as the president of CHSAA’s Board of Directors, told the new ADs. “You will soon discover that we are all in this together. There are no rivals among athletic directors.”

    Said Rhonda Blanford-Green, CHSAA’s commissioner: “I want to stress how important mentorship is in your new role.”

    Added LeRoy Lopez, the athletic director at Evergreen who is the president of the Colorado Athletic Directors Association (CADA): “We are here to support you.”

    The group of new athletic directors heard presentations on game management, transfer and waivers, the CHSAA digital platform, coaches registration, as well as an “Athletic Director’s Survival Guide.”

    Their education won’t end there, however. CADA has an established mentorship program where the new ADs are partnered with experienced ADs. And CHSAA has follow-up meetings for new athletic directors throughout the year.

    CHSAA’s busy week will continue on Wednesday with the All-School Summit, where each member school will attend to receive vital updates and information from the administrative office.

  • Three meetings make for a busy week ahead for CHSAA membership, office and Board of Directors

    CHSAA office meeting Ottewill Room
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — This week is a busy one for CHSAA member schools and their athletic directors.

    This week, the CHSAA office will be holding three major meetings.

    First, on Tuesday, is a meeting for nearly 80 athletic directors who are either in their first or second year. The annual meeting, facilitated by assistant commissioner Jenn Roberts-Uhlig and the Colorado Athletic Directors Association, will help orient the new administrators on all things CHSAA. Topics covered include things like bylaws and forms, but also important things like networking within the AD community.

    Then, on Wednesday, is CHSAA’s annual All-School Summit, which gathers athletic directors from all 363 member schools around the state for important updates and information from the state office.

    Finally, Thursday is the first meeting of the year for CHSAA’s 2020-21 Board of Directors. This meeting typically includes orientation for new Board members, as well as goal setting and big-picture topics.

  • Boys golf ready for practice on Aug. 3; anticipating an announcement for other sports soon

    5A boys golf state generic
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Boys golf practice will start as scheduled on Aug. 3, as the sport is able to be played under the current national, state, county and CHSAA health guidelines as they pertain to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

    Competition is scheduled to begin on Aug. 6.

    Boys golf was not included in plans submitted to the state officials for approval because the sport is able to play under the current guidelines.

    The Association is anticipating an announcement soon regarding the full calendar for all other sports and activities, once approved by state officials.

  • Enrollment numbers and classification info for the 2020-22 two-year cycle

    Niwot Silver Creek girls soccer generic
    (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    School enrollment figures and the enrollment number cutoffs were used to help place teams into different classifications for the 2020-22 two-year cycle.

    Note that this information is only part of the criteria for classifying programs. Full criteria is available in bylaw 1500.21. Find the CHSAA bylaws here.

    Find each database here:

    These databases are always available on our Enrollment page, which also includes historical information.

  • Update regarding sports and activities in 2020-2021

    (CHSAANow.com)

    CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green provided the following update on Thursday regarding sports and activities in 2020-21:

    “Our office supports and respects the time taken at the state level to evaluate our proposed options for resuming athletics and activities for the 2020-2021 school year. Their timeline is our timeline, and we will be ready to play, with planned modifications, once approved.

    “We are appreciative of the guidance and leadership from the CHSAA Board of Directors and the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee as we look to the 2020-2021 school year.

    “The CHSAA staff will continue to advocate within our submitted proposals to conduct all programs within the Governor’s safety guidelines, phases and requirements.

    “We will keep our school communities informed and we will provide definitive answers and timelines once they are approved by the Governor’s office.

    “State, educational and athletic leaders are all working together in these fluid times to get our students, coaches, officials and support staff safely back to the courts, fields, stages, pools, and classrooms.”

  • Twitter Q&A: Rhonda Blanford-Green responds to questions about returning to play

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    We understand the desire for more info as our office continues to plan for the safe return of athletics and activities in the 2020-21 school year.

    So our commissioner, Rhonda Blanford-Green, took to Twitter on Tuesday to answer questions on that topic.

    Know that we are advocating for a safe return to play.

    Follow Rhonda on Twitter here:

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    We posted some of her answers to questions below.

    On fall sports timeline:

    More about the timeline for announcing plans:

    On switching seasons:

    On quarantining:

    On venues:

    On collaboration with other states:

    On a potential resurgence:

  • NFHS Network offers schools two free Pixellot units to stream events

    Field hockey boys soccer girls soccer football boys lacrosse girls lacrosse generic
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    INDIANAPOLIS — As high schools nationwide continue to deal with the fallout from COVID-19 and make plans for the restarting of activities this fall, the NFHS Network – the leader in streaming live and on-demand high school sports – has announced an unprecedented offer for schools that are facing possible attendance restrictions at events during the 2020-21 school year.

    Through its High School Support Program, the NFHS Network is offering up to two free Pixellot automated-production units for schools that lack production capabilities to stream events on the NFHS Network.

    The offer of two Pixellot units – one for indoor events and the other for outdoor contests – has been extended to all 19,500 high schools in the 51 NFHS member state associations. The NFHS Network is a joint venture of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), its member state associations and PlayOn! Sports.

    In addition to receiving two free Pixellot production units, schools will receive a larger percentage of subscription revenue generated from their events, effective August 1, in an effort to offset revenue losses from reduced attendance.

    “We recognize that the next several years will be challenging for our high schools and state associations,” said Mark Koski, CEO of the NFHS Network. “Many are facing budget cuts and reduced resources, and attendance at athletic and other school events may be restricted. From the NFHS Network’s inception seven years ago, we have been driven by the goal to create a platform that showcases every high school event across every sport and every level of competition. Consistent with this goal, we want the High School Support Program to demonstrate our continued commitment to help our partner schools manage through the inevitable complications created by COVID-19.”

    The Pixellot automated production solution was introduced to high schools three years ago and has quickly become an integral component of the NFHS Network’s offerings. The Pixellot solution allows every event to be streamed live without requiring personnel to produce the games. There are currently more than 5,000 Pixellot units in high schools across the country which will produce in excess of 250,000 live games this upcoming school year with no human involvement.

    In addition to livestreaming 27 different sports, the NFHS Network also covers performing arts, graduations, award ceremonies and other school events. To date, the NFHS Network has distributed more than $25 million back to participating high schools and state associations.

    For more information about the High School Support Program, please visit www.nfhsnetwork.com/supportprogram.

    Schools wishing to sign up for free Pixellot units should visit www.nfhsnetwork.com/pixellot.