OASSA Virtual Cheer & Dance Tryouts Guidance

We hope you are staying well and safe!

We have had recent emails asking for guidelines on how to hold cheer/dance tryouts for the upcoming season.  We strongly advise that the guidelines from Governor DeWine, Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Ohio Department of Education (ODE) are followed when deciding when and how to hold cheer/dance tryouts. Coaches are to partner with their Superintendent, Principal and AD to decide on the best option for your school.  When making this decision, please keep in mind the health and safety of everyone involved is the number one priority.  Listed below are a few options:

• We strongly recommend, as well as ODE, “virtual” is the safest approach.  If you choose to hold virtual tryouts, OASSA will offer an article from Bricker and Eckler, our legal counsel that can be used as guidance when planning tryouts. Find that doc here: http://www.oassa.org/Websites/oassa/images/2020%20CHEER/OASSA%20Article%20-%20Virtual%20Tryouts%20-%20Jacobs%20and%20Rothey.pdf
• You may choose to wait and hold tryouts closer to the beginning of the school year.  By then, there is a chance to actually hold in person tryouts.  When you are ready to hold tryouts, ensure you follow the current guidelines from DeWine, ODH and ODE.
• If you have another idea in mind on how to hold tryouts, you may do so as long it is approved by your Principal/AD and Superintendent and it follows the current guidelines from DeWine, ODH and ODE.

Please refer to the links below for further information and guidance:

• ODE Statement (We know this is specific to graduation, but it also mentions other “milestones”):
  • “The Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Health urge school districts to be thoughtful and careful in choosing and planning the best way to celebrate graduation and other milestones. Several options are available and can be successfully implemented all while keeping safe practices in mind.”
  • http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Coronavirus/Graduation-and-Recognition-Ceremonies
• Virtual Tryout Example Links (if you choose to hold virtual tryouts):
  • UDA: https://www.varsity.com/uda/tryout/
  • UCA: https://www.varsity.com/uca/tryout/
• OHSAA Administrator Updates:
  • https://mcusercontent.com/7169653d29a7bd92bd770354b/files/69f88e7e-87b6-4102-b003-3694c4f56751/Thursday_April_30_Administrative_Update.02.pdf
  • https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/BulletinBoard/OHSAAUpdatesApril30.pdf
    • Q&A section of the update:
      • Q: Can our school conduct virtual cheer tryouts during this time? A: While the OHSAA does not govern the sport of cheerleading in the state of Ohio, we have received this question and want to address it. We can only recommend that the tryouts remain virtual/electronic to discourage any type of physical group gatherings. However, please reference any rules or regulations applied by your school district or the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators.

We will continue to keep you all updated as new details are available.