For this year’s winter athletic season, the City School District of Albany will continue to follow the COVID-19 health and safety protocols that are in place for the current fall season.
The requirements below align with the recommendations of federal, state and local health professionals.
Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics Ashley Chapple will host a virtual Winter Sports Information Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 6-6:30 p.m. to review the requirements for student-athletes.
Vaccination requirements
High-risk sports
- Basketball, competitive cheer, hockey and wrestling
- Student-athletes must be fully vaccinated
Low- and moderate-risk sports
- Bowling, indoor track, swimming and diving
- Student-athletes must be fully vaccinated or consent to regular COVID-19 testing provided by the district
Timelines for participation
Student-athletes interested in playing a high-risk sport and their families can use the following timeline to plan for COVID-19 vaccinations in order to be eligible when practices begin in November.
| Varsity, JV, freshman and Mod-9 sports | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccine 1st dose | 3-week waiting period | Sign-ups begin | Vaccine 2nd dose | 2-week waiting period | Winter sports begin |
| No later than Oct. 9 | Oct. 15 | No later than Oct. 31 | Nov. 15 | ||
| Modified sports | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccine 1st dose | 3-week waiting period | Sign-ups begin | Vaccine 2nd dose | 2-week waiting period | Winter sports begin |
| No later than Oct. 16 | Oct. 22 | No later than Nov. 7 | Nov. 22 | ||
EKG verification
Any student-athlete who has tested positive for COVID-19 at any point in the past must have proof of a normal electrocardiogram (EKG) to be cleared to participate in a fall sport. The EKG can have been performed at any time after the student-athlete recovered from COVID-19.
Proof of a normal EKG also is required to be able to have a district physical for all student-athletes who previously have tested positive for COVID-19. The district can assist families with arranging an EKG if necessary.
Physicals and vaccinations
All student-athletes for winter sports must have an up-to-date physical -- one conducted between Nov. 29, 2020 and the start of the upcoming season. You should provide this information to the school nurse. Please also watch for more information this fall about physicals.
Students can receive COVID-19 vaccinations at the Albany High school-based health center operated by Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center. Please call ahead for an appointment at (518) 407-0172.
You also can click here for a list of COVID-19 vaccination sites and clinics offered by the Albany County Health Department.
Please contact Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics Ashley Chapple at achapple@albany.k12.ny.us with any questions.
