Harrisburg’s football team has played in two state title games across the past four seasons.
It won’t get a chance to make it three in five, though, after the school district announced Thursday it would not move forward with a 2020 fall sports season.
“We have a tremendous amount of empathy and compassion for how this decision impacts our student athletes, especially our seniors,” acting Supt. Chris Celmer said. “However, the health and safety of our student athletes must be our first priority. "
A look at the press release sent out by the Harrisburg School District Thursday.
“There are still far too many unknowns about how COVID-19 spreads and medically impacts young adults in order for us to feel as though it is safe for our athletes to participate,” Celmer said.
He added that the district’s decision is “regardless of the PIAA’s board meeting held this Friday,” and said “it is my hope that the PIAA considers postponing the fall season.”
Celmer said he believed an abbreviated spring season “may allow for safe and equitable opportunities for all student athletes across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
The news comes on the same day that parents, coaches, players and fans held a “Let Our Kids Play in PA” rally at the Capitol building.
Harrisburg athletic director Calvin Everett said he could not comment on the announcement.
Harrisburg was also slated to field a boys soccer team as well as a girls tennis team and girls volleyball team this fall, according to the PIAA website.
Harrisburg joins Milton Hershey as the second Mid-Penn team to announce it won’t play sports this fall.
-- Follow Brian Linder on Twitter, @SportsByBLinder
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