MIAA: NO WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS

Season is still expected to be played

The coronavirus pandemic forced the MIAA to end the 2019-2020 winter season just days before basketball and hockey championships were going to be determined.

This time around, the MIAA board of directors made a similar decision months ahead of time. All 20 committee members in Thursday’s Zoom meeting voted in favor of last week’s recommendation of the Tournament Management Committee not to hold winter championships.

Provided the board of directors gets a favorable report from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, which is slated to provide some data in the next two weeks, the winter season could begin on Nov. 30 and run until

Feb. 21. Should the EEA report arrive later than Nov. 9, then the board of directors would have an emergency meeting to discuss the report.

The board advised leagues to create schedules that would cut down travel as has been done with sports being contested in the fall. The Catholic Central League recently announced plans for its own league tournament in the fall sports being played.

Brookline athletic director Pete Rittenburg expressed concerns that a Nov. 30 start date might be cutting it too close for some leagues, but Duxbury’s Thom Holdgate, a board member and part of the COVID-19 task force, said that leagues have the option to start later if they choose.

Once the EEA report is out, the winter sports committee will have five days in which to present its modifications.

In other news, the board voted 20- 0 to extend the Basketball Player Limit Rule. The rule allows players to compete in six quarters of action in one day between varsity, junior varsity and freshman, rather than the traditional four.

Earlier in the meeting, CPA Marco Seidman gave a financial report which said the MIAA’s assets exceed its liabilities by more than nine times. He also cautioned that the organization should proceed with caution before dipping into rainy day funds in case another pandemic-related shutdown is on the horizon and recommended new sources of revenue be considered.

JOHN LOVE / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE The Lunenburg/Ayer Shirley ice hockey team celebrates after topping Hopedale for the Central Mass. Division 3A title on March 4.

VINCENT APOLLONIO / SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE The Monty Tech girls basketball team celebrates after claiming the Central Mass. Division 4 title in a win over Maynard on March 9, 2019.