Yahoo Sports and the Women’s Sports Foundation today announced #WeKeepPlaying, a first of its kind live event bringing together some of the most iconic women in professional sports to inspire young athletes during the COVID-19 crisis. The elite athletes will share their own stories of personal resilience to engage and inspire young athletes across the globe during this unprecedented time. The event will stream live on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 4:00 pm ET exclusively on the Yahoo Sports mobile app and YahooSports.com.

The event, which will be moderated by journalist Cari Champion, will include some of the most renowned athletes across basketball, soccer, swimming, football, hockey and track & field who will speak to young athletes about the importance of staying healthy mentally, physically and emotionally. #WeKeepPlaying will also include a conversation with sports icon, international activist and Women’s Sports Foundation founder, Billie Jean King, and former U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice who was also the first woman to be admitted to the Augusta National Golf Club.

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Every day we celebrate our Section XI student-athletes, but we’re happy to join the national conversation on April 6 too! Here’s to all of our student-athletes who make us proud every day on and off the field.

NYSPHSAA, through its partnership with Overtime Sports, offers a great read on what coaches and athletic directors can do to build a winning culture even during our current crisis.

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A great message from @NFHS_Org … read more!

The Governor just announced that schools will remained closed until April 15. Therefore spring sports will remain suspended until that time.

Once again no practice of any kind is permitted during this time. If we do go back to school we are committed to having an abbreviated spring season for our student athletes. Thank you for your continued cooperation. Stay safe!

“Section XI student-athletes, you are leaders in every category,” said Section XI Executive Director, Tom Combs. “This should be no exception. Find a place to workout hard in a safe manner, following the rules set to keep everyone safe. We are very proud of all of you!”

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announces the cancellation of the remaining winter state championship events.  The impacted championship events include the boys and girls basketball regionals and state championships, as well as the ice hockey and bowling championships.  Plans are being developed to honor and formally recognize the students and teams who qualified to participate in these championship events.

“It is with great disappointment that we make the decision to cancel the remaining winter championship events,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “Our association’s focus is to benefit students through participation in interscholastic athletics and unfortunately this rapidly developing situation has prevented our association from providing a quality championship experience.  We certainly sympathize for the students who are being impacted by this crisis but at this time they deserve honesty from the leadership of our association.”

Factors that played a role in this decision include but are not limited to: the evolving COVID-19 public threat, CDC mass gathering recommendations, Governor Cuomo’s declaration of a state emergency, President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency, input from the 11 Sections and extended school closures.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions the Officers of the NYSPHSAA have ever had to make,” said Paul Harrica, President of NYSPHSAA.  “It has been determined it is not feasible for the Winter State Championships to be hosted in a safe and beneficial manner for the participating student-athletes and their teams in the near future.  The health and safety of the students we serve will always be our top priority.”

With school districts closed for an extended period of time, Sections and schools are individually determining the Spring sport start dates and practice parameters that best meet the needs of the students they represent.

The status of the NYSPHSAA Spring State Championships will be determined on or prior to Monday, April 27.

FYI: The SECTION XI staff is mostly working remotely with sporadic office visits for the time being.

We are always available via office phone, cell phone and email to answer questions or help in any way.