And then there were eight: If BIIF sports is to be played during this pandemic-plagued school year, it will be because spring has sprung.
The BIIF became the latest Hawaii high school league to cancel fall and winter sports, announcing its decision Thursday night following a meeting of its executive board earlier in the day.
In a release to the Tribune-Herald, BIIF president Dean Cevallos, the principal at Keaau High, said the decision came “after careful consideration and extensive discussion.”
The affected sports are air riflery, bowling, basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, football, canoe paddling, soccer, girls volleyball, swimming and diving and wrestling, as well as two junior varsity sports, softball and baseball.
“The collaborative discussion amongst the BIIF ADs and the BIIF executive board in this combined public- and private-school league has considered many factors in this decision,” the release said.
No decision has been made regarding the eight spring sports – baseball, softball, boys volleyball, water polo, golf, judo, tennis and track and field – which are scheduled to begin March 1. Those sports were the first to be canceled by the pandemic last year.
After the HHSAA announced it was canceling nine state championships Jan. 2, the dominoes started falling. The Oahu Interscholastic Association dropped fall and winter sports Tuesday, and the Maui Interscholastic League followed suit Wednesday.