Fall sport athletes across the state are still waiting patiently to hear when their season will begin, if at all. Steps continue to be taken in a positive direction and here is the most recent update.

According to GHS Athletic Director Tim Spear, the Maine Principals Association’s (MPA) Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) met on August 26 and spent a good amount of time going through the individual sport guidelines that were presented by each MPA sport committee. The SMAC examined national data and made any changes they felt were necessary to provide the safest possible way to offer each sport. Ultimately, the SMAC voted unanimously to the recommendation to play all fall sports following the guidelines created.

The SMAC recommendation then went to the MPA Interscholastic Management Committee (IMC) which met the following day. After an executive session, the IMC voted unanimously to approve the recommendations of the SMAC committee. The MPA has approved the guidelines to return for fall sports.

While this sounds optimistic, Spear said there are still more steps to be taken, sharing, “The guidelines now need to be approved by the CDC, DOE and Governor’s office in order for our Superintendents to approve us beginning the fall season.”

Spear said, “I am cautiously optimistic that we are heading in the right direction and will have final approval early next week. There is much work to be done to get ready for a September 8 start date.”