Local High School Sports

    Soccer, Volleyball Semi-State Matches Available via Pay-Per-View on IHSAAtv.org

    October 19, 2020

    This Saturday’s semi-state matches in the IHSAA Boys & Girls Soccer State Tournament will be video-streamed exclusively in a pay-per-view model for the first time. With COVID-19 still limiting attendance at different tournament venues, the IHSAA has partnered with select IHSAA Champions Network affiliates from around the state to stream all the live play-by-play action exclusively to its video portal at IHSAAtv.org. This also will allow spectators who are unable or uncomfortable attending in person to still watch the event. The 12 soccer matches (three at each of the four semi-state sites) are scheduled for this Saturday (Oct. 24) with the winning team in each game advancing to the state finals the following weekend. Likewise, all volleyball semi-state matches on Oct. 31 and all football semistate games on Nov. 20, also will be available through pay-per-view. Live video access will be available for $14.95 per game or $19.95 for access to all the soccer matches that day. With an all-access purchase, viewers may be able to see up to four matches simultaneously. The same prices will be in effect for the volleyball and football semi-states. Each game will also be available to purchase on-demand following its conclusion.

    IHSAA Football State Tournament Begins October 23

    Post-season anticipation began tonight as 314 teams learned their sectional opponents via live webstream at IHSAAtv.org and the IHSAA Champions Radio Network. The 48th Annual IHSAA Football State Tournament presented by the Indianapolis Colts is set to begin Oct. 23 with first round games in all classes except 6A which has the week off. Sectional semifinal games will be played on Oct. 30, sectional championship games on Nov. 6, regionals on Nov. 13, semi-states on Nov. 19 and the state championship games on Nov. 27-28. The 12 teams earning a berth in the state finals will play on Thanksgiving weekend in Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, the state tournament’s presenting sponsor since 2009. The state finals matchups, dates, and times won’t necessarily be played in its usual 1A, 3A, 5A format on one day and 2A, 4A, 6A format the other day. If matchups allow, schools from a similar geographical area may be grouped into consecutive games or at least on the same day. The playing schedule will be announced following semi-state play.

    COVID-19 Resource Center Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

    The Indiana High School Athletic Association, with support of its Board of Directors and feedback from its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, will continue to work in collaboration with The Governor’s office, the Indiana State Department of Health, and the Indiana Department of Education to provide guidance to its member schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Resource Center will continue to be updated with new information as conditions change during the COVID-19 pandemic. The IHSAA believes it is essential to the physical and mental well-being of student-athletes to return to organized physical activity and build team relationships with their peers and coaches. Students who participate learn life lessons in an environment that cannot be duplicated. Academic achievement, the development of leadership and social skills as well as the mental health benefits are known to be greatly enhanced in students who participate in these programs compared to those who do not. There is no doubt that the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has already resulted in thousands of our students missing out on these life-shaping educational experiences over the past several months.

    The IHSAA fully supports its member schools in determining what is in the best interests of the health and well-being of their student-athletes and staff. Each IHSAA member school’s athletic department will operate with the approval of its school administration in moving forward throughout the 2020-21 school year. It will be the decision of each local school district to determine if they can safely conduct athletic practices and contests. Due to the nature of the outbreak, there may be inequities due to geography within the state of Indiana as some areas will have higher COVID-19 rates that may not warrant full athletic participation while another area has lower COVID-19 rates that allow full participation. For workouts, practices and competitions to continue, social distancing and other preventive measures such as face covering/masking and frequent sanitizing of hands, implements, and equipment are strongly encouraged. This will likely remain in place until a cure, vaccine or very effective treatment is readily available, or so-called “herd immunity” is confidently reached. As the science about COVID-19 evolves, it will be important to remain vigilant and nimble to respond to new developments. Students and their families, along with school personnel, must recognize these risks and implement best practices to reasonably mitigate these risks. Participation in school activities is voluntary and every individual will need to evaluate the risk versus the benefits of athletics participation.