2020-21 Basketball Season

RPS 205 student athletes, families and coaches,  
 
I’d like to provide an update on our boys and girls basketball seasons during this unprecedented time. The Illinois Department of Public Health, The Illinois State Board of Education and the governor’s office have agreed that basketball is considered a high-risk activity during the global COVID-19 pandemic and should be postponed. The Winnebago County Health Department and the district's insurance provider have also advised against participating in a regularly scheduled season.  
 
This is a difficult position for us. Our administration wants very much for basketball season to continue – I’m sure just like our student athletes, families, coaches and fans. Our students’ health and safety continues to be our No. 1 priority, and we have to ultimately do what’s best for our students and delay the boys and girls basketball seasons based on the health guidance from the aforementioned state and local agencies.  
 
The NIC-10 conference will release a joint statement soon that will announce the agreement to delay the basketball season, but I want our students, families and staff to hear directly from RPS 205, as well. Our hope is to provide a modified conference season and still deliver a competitive experience for our student athletes.  
 
We look forward to moving forward with the approved IHSA winter sports and activities: boys and girls bowling, cheerleading, chess, dance, debate, scholastic bowl and boys swimming/diving. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
Mat Parker
RPS 205 Director of Athletics, Activities and Program Development