A recent Boston Globe article laid out a few positions from the MIAA. Call me skeptical, but they didn't add much clarity. Much of this feels shrouded in legal considerations.
Masks:
"According to MIAA associate executive director Richard Pearson, the SMC will look for guidance from state and local officials to determine masking requirements for interscholastic competitions."
Boys on Girls' volleyball teams:
"After a lengthy discussion, the board decided to eliminate volleyball Rule 83.5 — which states that a boy playing on a girls’ volleyball team (if the school doesn’t field a boys’ program) cannot play the ball in front of the 10-foot line, or participate in an attempted block. The board voted to address the topic in December after the Blue Ribbon Committee and Volleyball Committee coordinate with legal counsel to craft a new proposal regarding the rule."
Melrose squared off against Burlington with front row boys in the mid 2000's and sent more than a few attacks back while sweeping the Red Devils.
If a school lacked a boy's team, could they field fifty percent or more boys?
NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness:
"While amateur athletes may engage in activities consistent with state law, the board cited Rule 47 as the definition of amateurism, warning that any compensation related to a student’s participation with high school athletics would result in the loss of amateur status."
This also feels like a slippery slope. While few high school athletes have the fame or cachet to command major endorsements, a talented singer or musician could be compensated for performing but not athletes capitalizing on their recognition.
With the steady rise of coronavirus cases in Massachusetts before schools and colleges have opened, we have limited guidance as to whether the Spring 2021 policies will remain (limited attendance, streaming video). I'd expect that to be likely.
