In a Special Meeting held Thursday morning, the KHSAA Board of Controls voted 12-5 to go ahead with the current plan to start basketball practices on Monday, Dec. 14 with games starting on Monday, Jan. 4. All winter sports can begin practicing on Monday.
Board member and Marshall County Superintendent Trent Lovett spoke in favor of games starting Jan. 4 after a discussion was held to back the start of the season up by a couple of weeks.
Board members discussed options on the dates for the boys and girls Sweet 16 and conflicts with dates at Rupp Arena. The options discussed – delaying the tournament to late April/early May or late March/early April.
“We need to have it as late as we possibly can”, said Commissioner Julian Tackett whose recommendation was for the later date of April 24 – May 9.
Lovett, who was in favor of the March 29 – Apr. 8 dates said, “The overlap could devastate some spring sports.”
The first vote, a 9-8 decision against moving the tournament to April 24 – May 9. They voted 14-3 in favor of scheduling the tournament during the time frame of March 29 – Apr. 8.
A lot of discussion was held concerning how many fans will be allowed in the gymnasiums when play begins Jan. 4 – ranging from no fans, two to four tickets per player or 15% capacity. Tackett said they will need to take the advice of the Public Health Commission.
Also discussed at the meeting, how the closing of indoor facilities will affect the sports of swimming and wrestling and their state championships which are normally held in late February/early March. The board was concerned over issues with finding facilities and cutting the number of participants unless they are delayed to a later date.
Tackett spoke about the revenue that KHSAA receives from state championships which covers their operating expenses and listed the various sports and what revenue their championships produce. Leading the way as the biggest money-maker is the Boy’s Sweet Sixteen at nearly $840,000 in 2018-19. That championship is the top revenue for KHSAA by $640,000 over the football state championships which ranked second in 2018-19.
Tackett added that as far as he is aware, Kentucky is the only state where post season revenue goes back to the schools except for the state championships, during a discussion on what changes KHSAA has made to cut expenses as well as what might have to be done temporarily in the future to offset them.
More to come on spring sports but it looks like the board is making every effort to allow for a full schedule of competition.
View the full board meeting HERE.