A burning question that has been roaring inside every high school sports fan may soon be answered. Will the Arkansas Activities Association’s dead period for all high school athletics be lifted after it’s expiration on May 30? Well, according to internet and local media, the big announcement on the fate of summer athletic camps and team sports may be coming as soon as May 20.
According to the internet site “Arkansas Money & Politics”, a decision from Governor Hutchinson should be announced next week. The publication is quoted as saying, “Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that he intends to announce several “decision points” on bars and summer camps next week. The bar decision is scheduled for May 18, and the summer camp decision will be announced May 20. Hutchinson also stated that a decision point on summer camps and team sports will be announced. This has been a frequently asked question during Hutchinson’s daily press conferences in recent weeks.”
Today, Little Rock’s KATV sports director, Steve Sullivan, tweeted, “Decision on team sports coming May 20th. Can’t wait to hear the words “play ball”. Sullivan’s tweet makes high school sports fans wonder if the decision has already been made to lift the dead period on May 30.
Resident Press has reported in recent weeks how the dead period is affecting coaches and players in their preparation and routines leading into the fall high school sports seasons. Coaches have indicated that a return date of approximately July 6 would be adequate to prepare players for a safe return to the fall sports schedule. The coaches also indicated that the high school football and volleyball schedules could be played as scheduled if teams return by July 6. Certainly, a lifting of the dead period that would enable coaches to begin meeting in person with their athletes as early as June 1 would be very welcomed by all concerned.
Resident Press will continue to follow this story and will bring the latest updates to our readers as events develop. Stay with Resident Press for coverage of your favorite high school teams!
