GREEN BAY – The Fox River Classic Conference won’t be playing high school sports this fall.

According to an email sent to families at Green Bay Notre Dame on Tuesday, superintendents and administrators of the member schools voted for the move.

It follows the decision of the Green Bay Area Public Schools, which last week also voted to move fall sports to spring.

The FRCC includes Ashwaubenon, Bay Port, De Pere, Green Bay Preble, Green Bay Southwest, Notre Dame, Pulaski, Manitowoc, Sheboygan North and Sheboygan South.

The league’s football-only conference also includes Green Bay East, Green Bay West, West De Pere and Menasha. None of the four schools were part of the FRCC vote since they are part of the Bay Conference for other sports.

Notre Dame voted to keep the fall sports schedule. In the email sent to parents, the school said it would attempt to find intramural and interscholastic opportunities this fall.

It remains possible the administration could decide to join the FRCC and move to spring. Schools have until Sept. 1 to decide.

Notre Dame athletic director Matthew Koenig declined comment until an announcement on the vote is made by the FRCC.  

The conference based its decision on several factors.

• Concern for the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, trainers and others affiliated with teams.
• A strong desire by schools who are opening the academic year with in-person or blended schedules to remain open by reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19.
• Guidance from public heath officials who recommend social distancing and limiting travel when possible.
• Mitigating the risk of COVID-19 spread posed by team transportation, disinfecting sports equipment, uniforms and other items shared by players.
• The growing numbers of college athletic conferences and high school sports governing bodies in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and other states who have opted to move to a spring schedule.