Phoenix Union cancels winter HS sports, plans to play in spring

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Union High School District announced Friday that its winter sports season, delayed out of precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been canceled.

While its basketball, soccer and wrestling seasons were wiped out, the district said it plans to participate in Arizona Interscholastic Association competition for spring sports starting next month.

“Although still at unsafe levels, the spread of COVID-19 in our zip codes continues to trend downward,” the district said in a letter to athletes and parents. “We, therefore, remain hopeful that we will be able to begin sports conditioning for spring sports in March, per the AIA calendar.”

After the AIA postponed and then voted to cancel the full winter season, the state’s governing body for high school sports reversed course last month and green-lighted competition.

But Phoenix Union, citing a surge in coronavirus spread that’s since subsided, chose not to participate. The district said Friday it’s now too late for its basketball, soccer and wrestling teams to join the AIA schedule.

“We have reached a point in our postponement that it is no longer possible with the time remaining to complete the required number of practices (14) to host winter competitions before the spring sports season begins on March 1,” the letter said.

However, district officials are considering spring intradistrict leagues for the winter sports.

“We are hopeful that we can launch basketball, soccer, and perhaps even wrestling competitions beginning in April,” Superintendent Dr. Chad
Gestson said in a press release.

In addition, Phoenix Union is planning to hold scouting combines so its athletes can perform in front of college recruiters.

Phoenix Union has been among the most cautious districts in Arizona when it comes to dealing with COVID-19 and has yet to open its classrooms for instruction this school year. It’s targeting March 15 for a return to in-person learning.

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