At this time, NYSPHSAA plans to host all State Championship events as scheduled.  The following protocol will be published in all Championship Operation Packets and utilized for 2021-2022 NYSPHSAA Regional and State Championship events if a participating member school is notified of a confirmed positive COVID-19 case impacting a member of their team (i.e., players, coaches, managers, etc.) during post season play.  Championship Operation Packets are released approximately one month prior to the State Championship.

1) When advancing to regional and state championship play, school administration must immediately notify the NYSPHSAA Executive Director of any confirmed COVID-19 positive case or close contact (as defined by the Department of Health) impacting a member of their team.

Any members of a team who have tested positive will not be permitted to participate in NYSPHSAA Regional and/or State Championship events until properly cleared by Department of Health officials and will not be permitted entrance into any Regional or State Championship venue.  School administration should follow their approved local Department of Health protocols and develop a contingency plan to properly supervise students if a confirmed COVID-19 case were to originate during a NYSPHSAA Regional and/or State Championship event.

2) NYSPHSAA Executive Director or his designee will immediately notify the appropriate local departments of health.

3) The member school will work in conjunction with their local county department of health to determine if they can continue participating in the NYSPHSAA Regional and/or State Championship.  It shall be the responsibility of the member school to inform NYSPHSAA’s Executive Director of their ability to continue participating in accordance with the released event schedule.  No game dates or times, event schedules, etc. will be adjusted or revised to accommodate an impacted school (i.e., quarantine, contact tracing, etc.).

4) If the member school determines it is unable to continue participating in a NYSPHSAA Regional and/ or State Championship event, it shall be the responsibility of the NYSPHSAA Executive Director to determine if there is a reasonable amount of time and interest to replace the impacted team/ individual and which team/ individual will be invited in accordance with NYSPHSAA bylaws (Rule 19. Penalties b. 1 & 2).  If a replacement can be invited, that team/ individual will be inserted into the bracket or event position vacated.

5) The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and local departments of health will have final jurisdiction over NYSPHSAA Regional and State Championship events pertaining to matters of public health.  The NYSPHSAA Executive Director will work collaboratively with the NYSDOH and local departments of health when events are impacted by a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.

NYSPHSAA will continue to review, examine and potentially revise the above protocol throughout the 2021-2022 school year.

CHAMPIONSHIP VENUES
NYSPHSAA will honor and abide by all terms, conditions and restrictions imposed by the scheduled and contracted venue for matters impacting and protecting public health.  Public health restrictions may include, but are not limited to, capacity limitations, screening and testing protocols, vaccination requirements, etc.

The NYSPHSAA website will list any venue-imposed COVID restrictions as soon as they are made available.  Approximately one month prior to the State Championship, the NYSPHSAA sports specific Championship Operations Packet will list any COVID restrictions that exist at that time; restrictions are subject to change.

PRE-TOURNAMENT GATHERINGS
To minimize potential opportunities for disruptions impacting NYSPHSAA State Championship events and possibly reduce overnight accommodations, pre-tournament banquets, ceremonies, gatherings, etc. will not be held during the 2021-2022 school year.

*Note: Post-game/ event activities may be altered (i.e., awards ceremonies, handshakes, etc.).

2021-22 Championship Protocol PDF