On Friday, the AIA voted to cancel the high school winter sports season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
During an executive session, the AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) voted 5 to 4 to cancel the season.
Winter sports were scheduled to begin later this month.
The decision sparked outrage, prompting the circulation of an online petition calling for reconsideration:
All Arizona parents, please let your voices be heard to the Arizona interscholastic Association terrible decision against our children! Keep politics out of Arizona sports! https://t.co/oJ6CJL64UE
— Eric Sterchi (@ericsterchi) January 9, 2021
According to AZPreps365, the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) made the recommendation to the AIA’s Executive Board to cancel the high school winter sports season.