Ohio High School Athletic Association
4080 Roselea Place
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-267-2502
www.ohsaa.org
OHIO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND PLEDGE
All participants in the interscholastic athletic programs in OHSAA member schools have an important role to play in
keeping other students within the school, their opponents and their community members safe by doing their part to
stop the spread of COVID-19. As a student-athlete in an OHSAA member school, I know that I must take steps to stay
well in order to protect others and promote a safe return to school and full participation for all student athletes in my
school. Because of this challenge, I pledge to take responsibility for my own health and help stop the spread of the
COVID-19.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association’s highest priority is the safety of all member school students, faculty, staff, and
spectators. I know that by engaging in school activities, including attending classes, pursuing my education, eating in
the school cafeteria, attending activities, participating in sports and recreation, I may be exposed to COVID-19 and other
infections. I also understand that despite all reasonable efforts by my school, I can still contract COVID-19 and other
infections. In order to reduce my risk, I agree to be an active participant in maintaining my own health, wellbeing and
safety, as well as the safety of others, by following all the guidelines and expectations outlined by my school.
As more information is gathered and known, I understand that the OHSAA and my school, via its Board of Education
or governing board, may modify these guidelines and expectations. It is my responsibility to make every effort to keep
myself apprised of these changes to protect myself and my school community.
It is my school pledge to protect myself, my peers, and my entire community by doing the following:
• I agree to testing for COVID-19 and potential subsequent self-quarantining if I am identified as a contact of
anyone who has been determined to be positive for COVID-19.
• If I test positive for COVID-19, I agree to self-quarantine in a location to be determined in consultation with my
family, a medical practitioner and/or local health department until:
o My symptoms have resolved, and
o It has been at least ten days since the start of my symptoms, and
o I have a negative COVID-19 test result.
• I agree to timely report any known or potential exposures to COVID-19 to the school administration and
athletic training/medical staff.
• Monitor for the following symptoms:
o A fever of 100.4°F or higher
o Respiratory symptoms, such as dry cough or shortness of breath
o Sore throat
o Headache
o Body aches
o Chills
o Loss of taste or smell
If I develop the above symptoms, I agree to contact my athletic trainer or another medical practitioner, and to
follow the medical staff’s instructions which may include being tested for COVID- 19 and self-quarantining
while the test results are pending, and/or being evaluated by the athletic training staff.
• Stay at home if I am feeling sick.
• In general, the CDC recommends getting a flu vaccination (according to the CDC immunization schedule for
adolescents)
• Participate fully and honestly with the administrative and/or athletic training staff for contact tracing to
determine whom I might have potentially exposed to COVID-19.
• Wear a mask or the appropriate PPE in all public spaces.
• Practice physical distancing as much as possible.
• Frequently wash and/or sanitize my hands.
• Keep my personal space, shared common space, and my belongings clean.
I understand COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus, and it is possible to develop and contract the COVID-19 disease,
even if I follow all the safety precautions above and those recommended by the CDC, local health department, and
others. I understand that although my school is following the coronavirus guidelines issued by the CDC and other
experts to reduce the spread of infection, I can never be completely shielded from all risk of illness caused by COVID-
19 or other infections.
I have read, understand, and agree to comply with this pledge above. I also acknowledge that these expectations and
pledge are a condition of my participation in interscholastic athletics and that any failure to comply with this pledge
above may lead to immediate removal of athletic participation privileges and/or the inability to use athletic facilities.
I take this pledge seriously and will do my part to protect my school and community.