Tuesday, the Big 8 Conference encompassing Madison area high schools canceled all fall sports competitions and that could lead to major changes for prep sports even here in the Door Peninsula. Packerland Conference Commissioner Mike Holtz says the key right now is to be flexible. The organization is currently in Phase Two of its return to normal play which governs the summer contact sessions for spring sports and the preseason practices for fall teams. The term goes until August 20, a day before Week One competition is set to begin.

Holtz says clarity from the WIAA will be necessary, but until that comes the group of principals who form the decision-making committee for the league have to look at everything. It is conceivable that no fall sports will happen across the entire state. Noncontact sports like golf or cross country may be allowed with football and volleyball ending up canceled. Holtz says it is almost guaranteed that losing a conference like the Big 8 will have scheduling consequences. High school could be forced to follow several college conferences and prohibit nonconference games. Holtz says the only thing he will safely rule out at this point is a delay. There is not enough of a buffer between the different seasons to accommodate a start in mid-September, or later, and allow for a full winter sports schedule. They were already affected last academic year when postseason tournaments were curtailed midway through.