Brian Anken, the athletic director at St. Joe’s, said he was not surprised by the NYSCHSAA’s decision to delay the start of fall sports.

“We’re going to err on the side of safety,” Anken said. “People who make these decisions have a lot more data and research when they’re making these decisions.

“It’s disappointing, for the kids, we have to delay this. At this point, I’d rather have a delay with some hope that come September, things are trending in the right direction and we can get on the field, rather than take that hope away.”

The NYSCHSAA’s decision follows suit with the New York State Public High Schools Athletic Association’s decision to delay the fall sports season. The NYSPHSAA announced its decision Thursday; regional and state championship events have been canceled.

Like Anken, Barbara Rooney, the athletic director at Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, was not surprised by the NYSCHSAA’s decision.  

“We knew that the (NYSCHSAA) would meet Monday and we’d meet right after, and it was likely we would go along with what they voted on,” Rooney said. 

“We want our student-athletes to be back and competing, but we want them to be safe. Safety is the most important thing and I think all of us will be adjusting. If we all come back to school in person, whatever shape that takes, there’s going to be a lot of adjustment in the fall. This gives us a few weeks to get the education part under our belts and get our girls back here, and safely introduce the extracurriculars.”