The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) board of directors voted this afternoon to delay the start of the spring sports season until at least March 30 due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

The delayed start comes on the same day that NPS decided to close its schools. NPS schools will be closed at least until March 23.

The season was scheduled to begin March 16 and North sports teams planned to begin tryouts that day. According to a statement on the MIAA website, the decision to delay spring sports further will be revisited before March 30th.

Athletic director Tom Giusti said the season could be pushed back further. He added, “Hopefully we will return and we will be able to start at that date.”

Despite the delay, senior Raghav Kadambi, who runs track, said, “I think it’s really great that they are trying to make it so that we can have a season.” 

He added, “It’s not something we can control. It’s a virus and it’s unfortunate that it has spread this quickly.”

English teacher Kate Mannelly, the girls tennis coach, said she’s worried about the future of her team. “It makes me really anxious and really sad if the season is going to be canceled long term,” she said. “I’m sad for the seniors because it’s their last season and if they don’t get to play. I’m more worried about that.”

Giusti also said that the delay of the sports season will be disappointing for seniors. “If you are a senior you want to end strong,” he said. “That is important for them. For sophomores, juniors, and freshmen, there is next year, but for the seniors there is no next year.”

Kadambi added that for some of his senior friends, “it’s very sad that some of them may be missing the last time they ever play a certain sport.”

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.