WEST ORANGE, NJ - The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) has determined that spectators will be allowed at all outdoor New Jersey high school sporting events.

In a statement published Aug. 28, the NJSIAA stated, "As for spectators, schools are required to obey the outdoor gathering limit in place at that time. Currently, the limit on outdoor gatherings is 500 people. However, this limit will not include participants or individuals that are on the field of play (coaches, officials, trainers, etc.)."

(More information on guidelines specific to the fall season are available online HERE.)

WOHS and high schools across the state are currently on an athletic break until Sept. 14 as part of NJSIAA's fall sports protocols. Pre-season practices begin on the 14 and scrimmages and games beginning Sept. 24.

“Our primary focus has and will continue to be providing student-athletes as many opportunities as possible to play the sports they love,” says Colleen Maguire, NJSIAA’s chief operating officer. “So, whenever necessary or appropriate, we’ll revise regulations to accommodate the peculiarities of this unusual year. That’s what we’ve done today, and that’s what we’ll continue to do, as needed.”

The NJSIAA also slightly revised their policy regarding transfer student athletes. NJSIAA will continue to prohibit students from transferring for athletic advantage but has modified what it identifies as “athletic advantage.”

"For the 2020-21 school year, a transfer for athletic advantage will not include a transfer made because the student’s school cancels or postpones an athletic program due to the pandemic. However any student who transfers after September 1, regardless of the reason, will be required to sit for half of the fall season, or 30 days, whichever is shorter<" the Aug. 28 letter stated. More details on this revision and others related to transfers are available online, HERE.

Check on the WOHS Fall Sports schedules for Football, Cross-Country, Girls Tennis, and Boys and Girls soccer here.

To review all the details of the NJSIAA's Eligibility Amendments and Fall Guidelines as they related to Covid-19, view the information below.