GAINESVILLE -- The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) voted 11-5 in favor of the planned start day of August 24 for the Fall Sports season, with the option for FHSAA member schools to opt out of state series by September 18 to set their own game schedule.

BREAKING : OPTION 1 PASSES

SEASON STARTS AUGUST 24... AS PLANNED@FHSAA Board of Directors have voted 11-5 in favor of planned start day of August 24, with option for FHSAA member schools to opt of state series by Sep. 18 to set their own game schedule#FLgridiron #FHSAA

— Florida Gridiron Preps (@FLgridironpreps) August 14, 2020

The Board of Directors had three several distinct options for moving forward with the upcoming football season, with each option offering different start dates to accommodate the state of Florida statewide, where many areas of the state have differing degrees of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Director George Tomyn recommended Option 1, which retained the proposed start date of Fall Sports on August 24. Board Member Carlos Ochoa, who is part of the South Florida contingent, proposed the amendment to permit member schools to opt out of the state series by September 18 to set their own game schedule.

Tomyn expressed the FHSAA's willingness to be flexible, noting that member schools that do opt of the state series, the FHSAA will assist in their regional scheduling.

Tomyn also noted that he had taken time to talk with 10 different committees regarding how they ranked the options tabled before the board. The Football Advisory Committee consisted of 9 individuals and they unanimously recommended 9-0 for Option 1. On the other hand, The FHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC), chaired by Dr. Jennifer Maynard, recommended 14-0 for Option 3, which would have a start date for football November 30 and a 5 week regular game season.

Dr. Jennifer Maynard, chair of the @FHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC), says that the SMAC does NOT recommend start of ANY sports in ANY part of the state until school opens!#FLgridiron #FHSAA #SMAC #FootballinFlorida

— Florida Gridiron Preps (@FLgridironpreps) August 14, 2020

Also, later in the meeting, Board of Directors chair Lauren Otero presented a motion which would require all coaches and administrators to watch recommended COVID-19 videos by the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS).

The Board Meeting adjourned around 1:43PM EST... Almost four hours to discuss and finalize a decision ultimately impacting thousand of student-athletes (and possibly their families) statewide.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, BEN HANKS NAMED TO FHSAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Congrats to Ben Hanks on being added to the FHSAA Board of Directors. Hanks recently won the 4A State Championship co-coaching Miami Booker T. Washington Tornadoes. Hanks starred as one of Miami Dade County's finest players at Miami Senior High during his prep years, starring on both side of the ball, parlaying his skillset into a scholarship the University of Florida. He would become the man at Florida.... enough for Florida Gators' Legend Steve Spurrier to unretire the #11 jersey so that the All-American Hanks could don it during 1992-1995 seasons, when the Gators won 3 SEC Championships and had an undefeated regular season in 1995.