Oregon Sports Update: Gov. Kate Brown Clears Way for Div. II & III, NAIA, HS Sports

From Feb. 24, 2020, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. (Photo by Andrew Selsky/AP Photo, File)

Oregon college sports (at lower levels) and high school contact sports can begin again as soon as this week.

The door is now open for high school football in Oregon: pic.twitter.com/rGiKXg7DUg

— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) February 10, 2021

As mentioned in Governor Kate Brown’s statement above, if COVID-19 cases surge sports may be forced to shut down again.

“In Lower Risk and Moderate Risk counties, practices and games for outdoor contact sports, including high school football, can resume following health and safety guidance to be issued by the Oregon Health Authority,” Brown said in a release.

Also, Division II and III, and the NAIA levels can submit health and safety plans to resume practices and play.

However, as Joe Freeman notes, the lower college divisions will need to “meet the same rigorous standards that Oregon’s Division 1 programs have met before they will be permitted to resume full activities,” Brown said.

Finally, as expected, schools in “extreme- and high-risk” areas must limit their in-person instruction.

Also, regarding prep sports … schools in extreme-and high-risk counties must have “at least limited in-person instruction occurring, with the goal of achieving hybrid or full in-person instruction,” as well as a slew of testing, contract tracing and quarantine protocols.

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) February 10, 2021