Update: Texas UIL cancels high school springs sports season due to COVID-19

Video: Katerina Kountouris at-home workouts
Watch the personal trainer introduce her workouts to the MaxPreps audience.

With all its schools closed for the remainder of the spring, the fate of Texas sports season was all but decided.

The University Interscholastic League, taking the lead of Governor Greg Abbott, canceled the rest of the spring season and state championships "in an effort to help protect the health and safety of Texans."

The UIL is the state's governing body for almost all athletic, musical and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in Texas. 

"Our staff has been working hard on plans to resume activities this spring, but without schools in session, interscholastic activities cannot continue," UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt announced in a statement on Friday. "Our highest priority during this challenging time is ensuring the health and safety of our students and communities and making progress in the containment of COVID-19 in Texas. We are now turning our attention to the 2020-21 school year.

"The UIL will continue to follow the direction of state authorities and will work closely with member schools to navigate this unprecedented time."

See complete release [Release].

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) of Texas extended its suspension of spring sports until at least May 4 due to the outbreak of COVID-19, it announced Thursday.

The state's main governing body of high school sports had last week suspended play until March 29. The extension is consistent with much of the rest of the country. On Wednesday, Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) cancelled all spring sports for the rest of the school year.

The UIL would not go that far, but warned that "all decisions remain flexible and will be consistent with the advise of local, state and federal officials." It also noted that prior to the May 4 date, "the UIL will allow its member schools a reasonable acclimatization period for rehearsals and practices to occur."

According to Breithaupt: "We are workin diligently on contingency plans to conduct state championships in each of the activities that have been suspended. While the immediate future is unclear, we are committed to providing these much-desired activities to all Texas students and will prepare for all possible outcomes, including extended school closures.” 

See complete release [Release].

Wednesday, March 18

MaxPreps named its top 15 players/All-State basketball teams, presented by Suddenlink, this week.

* Leading the boys team was Player of the Year Greg Brown III, of Vandegrift (Austin). See entire boys team HERE.

* Deja Kelly of Duncanville is the girls Player of the Year. See entire girls team HERE.

A day after suspending the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) boys basketball state tournament over coronavirus concerns, the UIL and Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) separately announced Friday that spring sports also would be affected.

TAPPS suspended spring sports —  baseball, golf, softball, tennis, and track and field — until April 12 beginning Monday. TAPPS said teams could continue practicing if their campus remains open, but that schools that are closed must cancel all activities including practices.

The UIL announced it is shutting down its spring sports starting Monday through March 29.

UIL basketball games got underway Thursday with limited spectators but at halftime of a Class 3A semifinal, fans were informed play was suspended at the conclusion of the contest.

Girls basketball champions in six classes were crowned last weekend. Girls basketball already finished and crowned state champions in Class 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A on March 7.

Updates will be provided as news and information develops.