High School football, volleyball seasons in Minnesota moving to spring, state adds 4th season

Some Minnesota high school fall sports are moving seasons, while sports season lengths will be shortened.

The news from the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) comes a week after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced individual districts would have freedom to set their own agendas.

The MSHSL announced it would be moving football and volleyball — high-risk sports — to a modified spring season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Girls tennis, swimming and diving, as well as cross country, soccer will begin Aug. 17 with the first day of competition a week later.

A fourth season will be created to ensure football and volleyball do not interfere with track, tennis, golf and other spring sports. 

Football and volleyball will run from early March to mid-May, while spring sports will be played from mid-May into July.

Seasons will be reduced by 80 percent or less and competitions will be reduced to 70 percent.

Teams must compete with local opponents only — within a conference, district/section or identified as local by school administrations.

Only three teams can be involved in any competition.

Some schools may be required by localized metrics to be in a distance learning mode, therefore practices would be limited to virtual contact only.

The state added that first week of practice should be focused on safety precautions as it pertains to the virus — like pre-participation screenings, effective social distancing, establishment of pod limits of 25 or less, and additional actions that mitigate the spread of disease and enhanced safety of students and coaches.