Dear GHSA:
We at GaHSS.com are troubled with your recent decision to change the “Beginning and Ending Dates” for High School Soccer for 2021-2022 season. The new “Tentative” beginning date is January 24 for the first game and April 9 for the last play date. If the goal of GHSA is to promote our student athletes in both their academic and athletic endeavors then they have completely missed the mark. At this point in the year, most every school has completed their respective schedules. Changing the beginning date will cause chaos with schools attempting to now change their schedules. Student-Athletes who play winter sports will now lose yet more time on the pitch; a minimum of two additional weeks. Coaches, parents, fans and GHSA officials should be encouraging our multi-sport student athletes, not limiting their chances at excelling. The April 9 finish date is Spring Break for most all Georgia High Schools, meaning that most schools will have to finish their regular season games by April 1, (or not have a Spring Break) then have a first round playoff game on April 12-15, some two weeks after their last game.
Please let good judgment prevail and return to the original dates January 31 and April 16. If the GHSA wants to make changes, then actually involve and listen to the SOCCER COACHES!
If you are a coach, fan, parent or a player and would like to have your voice heard, please…politely…email the GHSA Soccer Sub-Committee of your displeasure of their decision:
kevin@ghsa.net
MATTHEW.MOODY@cobbk12.org
Matt.McDonald@gcpsk12.org
renjackson@atlantapublicschools.us
barney.hester@bcsdk12.net
elijah.connell@walton.k12.ga.us
mike.thompson@bcraiders.com
don_norton@johnson.k12.ga.us
kpetroski@athensacademy.org
Thanks!