MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — The Middletown City School District Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to reinstate all extracurricular and campus activities for this school year, including fall sports.
"Starting tomorrow, MCSD fall sports & marching band will resume normal practices and competitions," the district tweeted Monday evening.
Middletown City School District Board of Education voted unanimously to reinstate all extracurricular and campus activities for the 2020-21 SY. Starting tomorrow, MCSD fall sports & marching band will resume normal practices and competitions. Press Release to come #MiddieRising
— Middletown Schools (@MiddletownOH) August 24, 2020
Middletown athletic director JD Foust said full practice starts Tuesday with competitions starting Aug. 31.
"We are very appreciative of the school board allowing our teams to compete," Foust told WCPO. "Middletown student-athletes are very excited to be given the opportunity to showcase their talents. The parents and community really came together to show their support for our kids. The Middie Magic prevails!"
The Middletown football program released its season schedule including the season opener which is a road game at Fairfield Sept. 4. The Middies are looking for a Week 6 game.
Just last week, WCPO reportedthat Middletown City Schools Superintendent Marlon Styles Jr. said the district would evaluate athletics on Sept. 8.
On Aug. 14, the district announced a partial lift of the July 30 suspension of all fall extracurricular and campus activities, with fall sports and marching band resuming skills training while following Ohio High School Athletic Association Phase One guidance.
But, the district changed course on Monday night with a decision to move forward with athletics.
“I’m excited for our student athletes to have the opportunity to do what they love. I encourage everyone to be safe,” said Chris Urso, MCSD Board of Education president, in a news release.
Middletown had suspended all fall athletics and extracurricular activities July 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first Friday night of Ohio's football season is Aug. 28 after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gave the green light for all sports to proceed this fall with each district making its own decision about how to proceed.
Football and cross country start this week. Golf, girls volleyball, girls tennis and field hockey officially opened their seasons around the state earlier this summer.
Middletown City Schools will require parents to sign an assumption of risk and waiver of liability related to communicable diseases/COVID-19.
The district started back Aug. 17, and students will still learn remotely with online classes.
For more on Middletown's back-to-school plan, click here.
