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The @Mid_Penn wants refs to enforce its mask policy during games. The @PIAASports does not. The @PAHealthDept mask order requires all players/coaches wear masks during games and practices. The PIAA has yet to require that from its entire membership. (1/x) https://cumberlink.com/sports/high-school/mask-communication-no-statewide-mask-policy-limited-guidance-for-enforcing-rules-how-the-piaa-is/article_00294552-9360-5d00-8136-93ba15f01e46.html
Before the season started, the Mid-Penn wanted referees to enforce its mask policy during games similar to the way they enforce untucked shirts. Within a day of announcing the plan, the PIAA stepped in and said no. MPC leadership doesn’t understand why. (2/x)
The PIAA claims it's about medical privacy, that refs don't know who does/doesn't have medical exemptions. Yet in wrestling, the PIAA says refs should enforce masks like they do head gear. MPC leaders don’t understand why it can’t be the same in hoops.
https://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2020%202021%20Wrestling%20Bulletin%202-%20Revised(1).pdf
https://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2020%202021%20Wrestling%20Bulletin%202-%20Revised(1).pdf
The problem — consistently mixed messaging from the PIAA — is causing confusion for some refs, teams and leagues. The PIAA claims its following the DOH’s November mask order. But it doesn’t require all schools enforce the same mask policy for practices and games. (4/x)
The PIAA claims the Mid-Penn’s plan to have refs enforce masks during basketball games violates the DOH. The DOH disagrees with that assessment. (5/x)
Since PIAA says mask enforcement is on that night’s game manager — either the AD, assistant AD or another staff member — I asked Lombardi what the procedure is for those game managers who see violations, since it won’t let refs, a neutral third party, officiate violations. (6/x)
The answer was vague. PIAA says only it’s on game managers to enforce their own policies. Lombardi then said he doesn’t want ADs to shut down a game during play because one team has repeat mask offenders. When pressed, Lombardi wasn't clear. (7/x) WATCH: https://cumberlink.com/piaas-bob-lombardi-on-altoona-carlisle-game-doh-mask-policy-and-not-wanting-ads-to/video_433d0f0e-c4b1-5a09-8cf9-d3d97eae776a.html
There have been a handful of mask conflicts around PA. Locally, a few Altoona bball players competed much of Jan. 15 game with masks down below chins against Carlisle. And at recent youth game, Donnie Eppley said refs walked out in 1Q because teams weren’t complying. (8/x)
Bethlehem School Board suspended Liberty's boys team 3 days for improper mask wearing during game against Northampton. https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-liberty-suspension-20210126-n2m75rdknbc7fc2m3ibrapw5c4-story.html
Outside Pittsburgh, Shady Side Academy girls walked out on Brentwood because Brentwood wasn’t adhering to SSA’s mask policy. (10/x) https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-basketball/2021/01/28/Mike-White-wearing-masks-high-school-basketball-players/stories/202101270032
I built this map showing some leagues' mask policies. It's a snapshot, not comprehensive of PA. Notice the largest league, the WPIAL, has left it to individual schools to determine their policies, while practically all Philly leagues require masks. (11/x) https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XuxFmQ13hvIcyGTWpuCO2fXyV-EZZSR2&usp=sharing
What does this mean? Well, for now, Mid-Penn will follow what PIAA says. Prez Mike Montedero said most teams won’t play anyone with unmasked player. But state playoffs are coming, and some school admins/ADs want a concrete plan from PIAA soon. (12/12) https://cumberlink.com/sports/high-school/mask-communication-local-administrators-await-postseason-mask-policy-from-piaa/article_77fdc37d-62a2-503b-a564-0359657df4a2.html
