The CIAC has released its plan for fall sports in Connecticut.
“The CIAC emphasizes that this plan is fluid and in a perpetual state of evaluation,” a news release from the CIAC says. “COVID health metrics and data in Connecticut will continue to be closely monitored and the appropriateness of holding youth sport and/or interscholastic athletic contests can change at any time.”
The plan also says, “All contests will be scheduled regionally to limit transportation needs and maintain play within a geographic region to reduce COVID spread across the state.”
Xavier plays three CIAC-sanctioned sports in the fall: football, soccer, cross country.
“We’re excited for the return of sports and happy for our student-athletes,” Athletic Director Matt Martorelli said. “We remain committed to ensuring a safe experience for all of our athletes and teams.”
The highlights by CIAC sport as it concerns Xavier:
FOOTBALL
First practice date in cohorts of 15: Aug. 17
First practice date of full teams and full contact: Sept. 11
First scrimmage date: Sept. 18
First game: Sept. 24
Maximum number of regular season games: 6
Number of games per week: 1
Last date to play: Oct. 30
Tournament: Nov. 2-15
CROSS COUNTRY, SOCCER
First practice date in cohorts of 15: Aug. 27
First practice date of full teams and full contact: Sept. 11
First scrimmage date: Sept. 18 [for soccer]; NA for cross country
First meet or game: Sept. 24
Maximum number of regular season meets or games: 12
Last date to play: Oct. 29 for cross country; Oct. 30 for soccer
Tournament: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 for cross country; Nov. 2-15 for soccer
As far as what the tournament will look like, the release says, “The CIAC will collaborate with league commissioners, athletic directors, and coaches to develop a tournament experience during the last two weeks of the fall season. No team will be eliminated from competition during this experience to maximize the number of games each team will be able to play through the fall season.”
Martorelli said the return of non-CIAC sports here at Xavier (crew and sailing) in an ongoing discussion.
Schedules will be announced at a later date.
The entire CIAC plan can be found here.