Here is when Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools student-athletes can return to the fields
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has announced when student-athletes in the district can begin athletic workouts. Or at least some of them.
The district announced a phased return to workouts Wednesday afternoon. As early as Sept. 14, cross-country and volleyball teams can begin workouts.
CMS said it will “evaluate readiness to bring back student-athletes from other sports. This evaluation period will include further input from athletic directors and principals and will guide how CMS moves forward with additional teams/sports resuming on-campus workouts.”
The N.C. High School Athletic Association released a new athletic calendar for the state’s 421 public schools last week, which includes schools from CMS.
The first sports to return statewide will be cross-country and volleyball. Those sports can begin official practice Nov. 4. Swimming and diving is next, starting Nov. 23 and basketball begins Dec. 7. All other sports begin after the new year, including high school football, which is set to start Feb. 8.
CMS said it planned for a staggered return for its sports teams, based on the revised calendar and input from local officials.
The NCHSAA stopped all high school sports last March, just after the start of the spring sports season. It also canceled its high school basketball championship games. On June 15, it allowed schools to begin non-contact offseason workouts with schools following several COVID-19 protocols.
CMS was among many school systems, including Wake County Schools, that did not begin workouts. CMS originally was set to begin July 6, but postponed workouts indefinitely.
The district said its current decision to resume cross-country and volleyball included input from athletic directors and principals, before and after the NCHSAA’s calendar announcements.
“We are pleased to announce a return to on-campus athletic activity for our high school student-athletes and staff,” CMS director of athletics Sue Doran said. “We understand the importance and impact of athletic participation and believe our phased approach will enable us to safeguard the health of everyone involved.”
CMS said its return to athletics will comply with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and NCHSAA guidelines for enhanced safety measures and procedures for protecting student-athletes and staff health. That means participation will have limited numbers and time on athletic fields and inside facilities. Athletes will be required to wear masks when not in active participation, and schools will have temperature checks and other screenings.
“CMS athletic directors, coaches, and staff are up-to-date on current health and safety guidelines and will be prepared to welcome our high school student-athletes back for skills development workouts under these guidelines,” Doran said.
No middle school athletics in first semester
Middle school athletics will not resume workouts or competition during the first semester, CMS also announced. The decision to postpone middle school athletics was based on several factors, among them funding challenges. Middle school sports depend upon high school athletics participation fees and a $1 surcharge; with NCHSAA postponing start dates for high school sports, funding availability will be delayed. Also, with CMS opening in an all-remote learning environment, middle school students would face challenges to get to campuses for athletics.
CMS to open fields
CMS also said it would allow outside use of athletic fields managed by the district. It said on Aug. 24, CMS outdoor facilities may be used for baseball and softball games and practices. For all other sports, only practices will be allowed and noted that all community use partners must follow NCDHHS guidelines for use.
CMS said when student-athletes return to workouts or competition, community use of CMS outdoor facilities will return to normal. The district said it would provide further information about requirements for use of its field, including enhanced cleaning and disinfection, by Friday for its joint use partners.
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 6:00 PM.
