Inter-Ac League shuts down fall sports, hopes to play in the spring

The Inter-Academic League announced Wednesday morning that it will postpone all fall sports and instead look to have three seven-week seasons after Jan. 1, 2021.

The league is comprised of nine schools: Academy of Notre Dame, Agnes Irwin, Baldwin, Episcopal Academy, Germantown Academy, Haverford School, Malvern Prep, Penn Charter, and Springside-Chestnut Hill.

“The Heads of School and Directors of Athletics have unanimously decided to suspend any inter-scholastic competition through December 2020,” the league statement said. “This decision was made given the unprecedented concerns we face in our community and in consideration with Governor Wolf’s (Tom), strong recommendation to not play sports. Should conditions permit, the league intends to hold three seven week seasons for our student-Athletes in the new year.”

Malvern Prep is one of the six Inter-Academic League football schools and the Friars were getting ready for a fall season. The league had previously set September 14 as the first date of fall practice but Wednesday morning’s news has scuttled those plans.

Friars head football coach Dave Gueriera, whose Friars were expected to compete for the league title this year, spoke about the decision.

“I am heartbroken for our players, especial the seniors,” Gueriera said. “We will stay positive and productive as we look forward to the spring season.”

In Chester County, Malvern Prep joins Unionville, Bishop Shanahan and the Westtown School in skipping fall sports.