OSHKOSH – With the rest of the East Central Conference schools playing high-risk sports this fall, Ripon, Waupun and Campbellsport are joining the Flyway Conference for the alternate fall season next spring.

The temporary move includes football, volleyball and boys soccer. Oakfield, which plays in the Trailways Conference, is also joining the Flyway in girls volleyball.

The Flyway voted Thursday to approve the one-year additions. Ripon athletic director Bill Kinziger announced the news in a press release.

“We know that this has been a difficult time for our athletes, families and coaches,” Kinziger said in the release. “The teams in the Flyway Conference provide competitive play close to home.”

Laconia, Lomira, Mayville, North Fond du Lac, Saint Mary’s Springs and Winnebago Lutheran Academy are Flyway members playing in the alternate fall. Omro is the only Flyway member that’s playing both high- and low-risk sports this fall, filling its schedules with the closest schools of similar size.

Campbellsport was already set to join the Flyway as a football-only member for the 2020-21 school year before the coronavirus pandemic. It’s joining the Flyway in all sports the following school year.

The press release added that the “WIAA is currently considering allowing additional contact days for fall sports” and meets again Sept. 18.

“The WIAA is reviewing different possibilities for a tournament series for all sports,” Kinziger said. “They have approved athletes to participate in some club sports concurrently with their WIAA seasons this year due to the additional season being added. This is good news for RHS volleyball players, many of whom are a part of a club team.”

Ripon will use its new field turf next March when football and boys soccer teams can begin practice. The WIAA’s adjusted calendar allows girls and boys volleyball teams to start practice Feb. 22.

“As soon as the snow is off the turf, the field heats up,” Kinziger said. “The traditional spring season starts at about the same time as the alternative fall sports calendar begins (difference of only four days). Our girls soccer team is out playing on the field each spring. An additional benefit this year is the new field and the shock pad, which will enhance player safety from previous years. The field could see further use this spring as other teams may request to play in Ripon.”

Contact Jerell Rushin at 920-279-4974 or jrushin@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jerellrushin_.