Dear Cushing families,
I hope that you are well and enjoying the holiday season. I am writing to update you on athletics as we continue our work to provide our students with the best possible experience when they return for in-person living and learning after the new year.
The Athletics department has been monitoring recent developments concerning playing sports in Massachusetts. In November, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) updated its youth sports guidance (Phase III, Step 2). In that guidance, the EEA, for the first time, permitted schools to engage in competitions against one another in basketball and ice hockey. However, in connection with Governor Baker’s recent rollback of reopening guidance to Phase III, Step 1, the EEA updated its website yesterday to note the following: “Safety Standards for Youth and Adult Amateur Sports Activities - Phase III, Step I (Effective 12.13.20) – COMING SOON.” It is unclear whether or how the Commonwealth’s rollback will impact the updated EEA guidelines regarding sports like basketball or ice hockey. We are working on getting further information about this update but have not yet heard anything concrete.
Given the EEA’s previous designation of basketball and ice hockey as "high risk" sports—with a "substantial likelihood of routine close and/or sustained proximity or deliberate physical contact between participants and a high probability that respiratory particles will be transmitted between participants”—both sports are subject to modifications and heightened safety protocols under the EEA’s November guidance. Under these regulations, Cushing Academy is actively pursuing winter scheduling options with independent boarding schools. Because we are still subject to Massachusetts’ Travel Order, and because the EEA’s November guidance does not permit Massachusetts schools to host out-of-state participants in high-risk sports, we are currently looking to schedule competitions against in-state schools only.
Similar to the fall, if other boarding schools within Massachusetts are competing, Cushing Academy will do everything possible to be safely involved. Despite best efforts during the fall season, only one game was played between two boarding schools within Massachusetts at the varsity level. Cushing Academy committed to playing a basketball game in late November, as previously communicated, only to have the opposing school cancel the competition just hours before tip-off once they determined they could not meet all safety protocols for hosting the event.
Although this constantly changing landscape is likely to continue on the athletics front, we are currently working on a schedule that would begin in February. Participating schools would commit to a home/away series on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with all varsity teams traveling on the same day, to the same opponent.
Schools Cushing may compete against include but are not limited to Northfield Mount Hermon, Worcester Academy, The Winchendon School, Williston Northampton School, Berkshire School, St. Mark's School, and Deerfield Academy. This list is not exhaustive, and schools are interested in these competitions at various levels. Nothing is official yet, but we are working to have competitions during the two seven-week periods of the on-campus experience this winter and spring.
Safety continues to be our number one priority for our Cushing Community. To mitigate risk and limit exposure during competitions, participating schools would commit to a shared set of safety standards and expectations. These shared expectations will be consistent with public health guidance, including but not limited to the EEA’s guidelines, National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) rules considerations, and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (MIAA) sport-specific modifications issued in November. For example, in line with these guidelines, spectators will not be permitted to attend athletic contests on Cushing’s campus. We will, however, live stream our home games for families to watch their children play.
We are cautiously optimistic that our teams will be able to compete in some capacity this winter. However, if public health conditions warrant any necessary adjustments, we will make decisions based on our medical team's expertise and the Cushing community’s best interest.
Our overall goal is to create a meaningful experience for our athletes and to compete this winter while maintaining campus safety and meeting guidelines for “Keeping Cushing Healthy.” We understand that participating in a team plays an integral role in students’ growth, development, and socialization at Cushing Academy. Our community values physical activity and we aim to promote a lifelong commitment to fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Participation in athletics is a vital part of a student's learning experience and the overall educational curriculum.
We also recognize the importance of broader exposure for our athletes, and if safe and advisable, we will create opportunities for college coaches to observe players on our campus.
We will continue to keep you informed about the upcoming winter athletics season. In the meantime, we wish you a very safe and happy holiday season. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me by phone or email.
Sincerely,
