Waterloo Schools Athletics
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(UPDATED 5.14.2020)
Please note this information is based on the best knowledge we have at the present time. As more guidance is given and/or information is gained, we will update as necessary.
Q: What is the current status of High School Summer Sports – Baseball and Softball?
-Summer Sports Dates Suspended – Message from IHSAA/IGHSAU May 8, 2020
The baseball and softball seasons are suspended and no practice nor competition start dates will be announced until Governor Reynolds and/or Dr. Lebo share their assessment regarding a safe return to school facilities and/or a safe date to resume activities. We expect an update on that information June 1.
Please note that school facilities remain closed so it is not permissible to allow softball/baseball athletes to use school-owned batting cages or other athletic facilities, even if coaches are not present.
IHSAA and IGHSAU are working on safety protocol guidance to share if/when baseball and softball seasons begin.
Q: What is the current status of High School Fall Sports?
-Fall Sports Dates – Message from IHSAA/IGHSAU May 8, 2020
If school begins with classes on or prior to August 23 – all practice/competition start dates, as well as post-season dates will remain as currently scheduled.
If schools are not permitted to begin until after August 23, practice/competition start dates may be adjusted as needed.
8/10/20 – 1st Day of Practice Football, B/G Cross Country, Volleyball, Girls’ Swimming & Diving, Boys’ Golf
8/10/20 – 1st Day of Competition Boys’ Golf
8/24/20 – 1st Day of Competition B/G Cross Country, Volleyball, and Girls’ Swimming & Diving
8/27/20 – 1st Day of Competition Football
Q: How will the High School Scholarship Rule and athletic eligibility be determined for fall 2020 sports?
Scholarship Rule – Governor’s Proclamation – May 6, 2020
The regulatory provisions of Iowa Administrative Code rule 281-36.15(2), the scholarship rule for interscholastic athletics, have been suspended by Governor Reynolds. For summer sports and the fall semester, all student athletes will be deemed academically eligible. This suspension addresses the inequities between voluntary and required districts, a variety of grading policies and the student-athletes with a failing grade from prior semesters who may not have had the opportunity to serve their thirty-day penalty period.
All other provisions of the scholarship rule (turning 20-years-old, eight semesters already completed, practicing with college squads) remain in place and would lead to a student being declared ineligible.
Please note that the Districts Good Conduct Policy will remain in effect.
Q: Will Spring 2020 student-athletes be able to earn a Varsity Letter?
–Waterloo Schools Spring Sports Lettering Criteria
- Any senior that went out for (Track & Field) or intended to/signed up for a spring sport will receive a 2020 letter in that sport.
- Any other underclass person who lettered in the 2019 spring season and was out for (Track & Field) or intended to/signed up for that same spring sport that they lettered in during the 2019 spring season will receive a 2020 letter.
- Any underclass person that didn’t earn a letter in the 2020 spring season and then earns a letter in the 2021 spring season will retroactively earn a letter for the 2020 season in that same sport.
Please note that this Lettering Criteria will apply to summer baseball and softball if those sports are not able to take place this summer.
Q: What is the status of summer off-season training, camps and practices?
-When Governor Reynolds and/or Dr. Lebo share their assessment regarding a safe return to school facilities and/or a safe date to resume activities, we will begin summer training opportunities as permitted by guidance and policy. We expect an update on that information June 1, 2020.
