Changes Announced for Diocese of Pittsburgh Elementary School Basketball Season Due to COVID-19

Out of an abundance of caution with guidance from health professionals who are encouraging vigilance and caution in the midst of an increase in positive COVID cases locally, as well as across the country, the Diocese of Pittsburgh will delay the start of the elementary school basketball season until January 2021.  The diocese will continue to work with health and school officials to monitor the situation, and keep schools informed of any necessary updates.
 
In addition, Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) athletic programs are cancelled, and adult leagues will not be permitted to use Catholic school gyms for pick-up volleyball or basketball games.
 
For now, in-house practice is permitted, contingent upon local, state, and/or federal mandates, but must be suspended during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. No interscholastic scrimmages and/or games, including tournament participation, is permitted until January. 
 
“Our primary goal with our schools is 5 day-a-week in-person instruction for our students.  Everything else is secondary.  We understand and value the positive behavior and physical development that happens through athletic programs, but given the pandemic, we need to make hard decisions in the interest of doing everything we can to keep our school families healthy and safe,” said Michelle Peduto, Director of Catholic Schools.
 
Diocesan officials along with regional administrators met virtually with elementary school principals and athletic directors to discuss the directive and to review the Athletics Health and Safety Plan, which schools have been following since the summer.  It allows sports, but only with “an abundance of caution” and with strict adherence to local, state and federal guidelines and orders.