Ohio governor approves fall high school sports

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Tuesday during his regular press conference that all high school and organized sports — including those involving contact (football, soccer and field hockey) — are cleared for competition this fall in the Buckeye State. The official order will be released soon. It will not include mandatory testing of COVID-19.

Soccer, field hockey and volleyball competitions start this week. Football's first regular season games start the week of Aug. 24. Golf and cross country (both boys and girls) as well as girls tennis are already underway.

"We'll see how this goes," DeWine said. "If it doesn't work – schools are going to know that pretty quick. Coaches are going to know pretty quick…It's like anything else in life. It's execution."

DeWine stated that schools could elect to move their fall sports – such as football – to the spring if desired. In addition, he mentioned that event spectators would be limited to family members and those "close" to the child. That also includes the bands and cheerleaders.

"It's not going to be your typical Friday night football in Ohio," DeWine said. "And we hope it's only one season. But young people are going to get the opportunity to play. And that's what's most important."

Said Lt. Gov. Jon Husted: "For the athletes out there, here's your chance to play the sports you love and show us that you possess the discipline to make it work. We're excited for the opportunity you have."

Ohio is one of 33 states to commit to play football in the fall. Fifteen states plus the District of Columbia are planning to take the field sometime in 2021. Utah began play last week with 51 games completed. Seven more states — Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee — plan to kick off football games this week.