At the Governor’s press conference on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 it was announced that schools in the state of Nevada will continue distance learning through the remainder of the current school year. School campuses will remain closed. In-person instruction will not resume during the current school year.
In accordance with the closure of schools for the remainder of the school year to in- person instruction, and in the interest of helping to preserve the health and safety of all Nevadans, NIAA member schools through their representatives on the Board of Control have cancelled all remaining regular season contests and post-season tournaments/meets.
That means the end of the season for Southeast schools Coronado, Liberty and Silverado.
The teams that compete in sports administered by the NIAA are a part of the schools that field those teams. The sports programs at NIAA member schools are organized and operated to support the educational mission of the schools. Schools have found that students who participate in school sports programs graduate at a higher rate, have higher G.P.A.s, attend school more regularly, and have fewer discipline problems than their peers who do not participate. These are but a few of the many benefits derived for students in offering these programs. The education- based sports programs are an effective tool in educating students at NIAA member schools.
Given the need to curb the spread of COVID 19, Nevada schools have temporarily lost access to some of their most effective tools in providing education, including in-person instruction and the support of interscholastic sports programs. Having lost those tools, schools are working hard to continue to fulfill their charge.
It is understood that this is a tremendous disappointment for everyone connected in any way to education-based athletics. The passion associated with the programs and competition are what make it an effective tool in accomplishing the mission of our member schools. We particularly empathize with our student athletes, especially the Class of 2020, who are denied the opportunity of participation this Spring. We all look forward to the day when education-based sports programs safely resume. We will play again!