AUGUSTA — The Maine Principals’ Association Interscholastic Management Committee voted Tuesday, during a virtual meeting, to push the start of Maine’s fall high school sports season back.

Fall sports at the high school level across the state were scheduled to start Aug. 17. 

With the vote, however, the fall season will now begin Tuesday, Sept. 8. 

The delayed start to the season comes amid the COVID-19 pandemic with many other states across the nation making similar decisions. 

Schedules for the fall sports will be shortened and revised at a later date after member schools and the state’s eight athletic conferences have the opportunity to virtually meet and revise the schedules. 

Schools will be allowed to alter their schedules after the season begins, if needed, if opponents are impacted by the pandemic. 

Schools will not be penalized if they cannot field a team in a sport they normally would. The rule mandating teams dropping a sport remain out of competition for two seasons is being waived. 

Fall sports in Maine include football, soccer, golf, field hockey and cross country.

Summer conditioning programs are still permitted to continue through the previously established phases and following guidelines previously established by the MPA.