Plans for championship experiences were approved during the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors meeting that was held in a virtual format on Thursday, February 4.
The Board of Directors supported a conceptual postseason plan for the winter tournament season that includes state tournament dates and formats. Under the projected plan, a five-week run of state tournament events would begin with Dance on March 12 and end with basketball championship games on April 10. The Board of Directors previously tasked League Staff with creating a framework of culminating postseason events. League Staff did so with the assistance of the League’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, activities advisories, region secretaries and tournament managers.
“The board unanimously approved moving forward with postseason tournaments and directed the staff to proceed with organizing tournaments in a context that is safe, adheres to the governor’s executive orders, and follows the guidelines set forth by the Minnesota Department of Health,” said Board President Blaine Novak, superintendent of schools in New York Mills.
With each activity beginning postseason play at the section level, these events will continue to progress to a state tournament. While details of state tournaments continue to be formulated, here is a projected look at each remaining winter activity:
The approved concepts focused on providing championships that maintain health and safety, provide spectator access, demonstrate financial responsibility and create memorable tournament experiences.
To monitor updated information on tournaments as it becomes available, please see the League website at www.mshsl.org
“The League is thrilled that students will have the opportunity to have a culminating state tournament experience,” said Erich Martens, Executive Director of the Minnesota State High School League. “Providing a championship event in every activity is part of Minnesota’s rich tradition of co-curricular opportunities. Safety is, and needs to continue to be, a focus as the League and its partners continue to work on these projected postseason concepts. We are strongly encouraged that we will be back together in a state tournament environment. These are incredibly special experiences and we are looking forward to celebrating with the participants and our member schools.”