Note - all student-athletes who plan on participating in fall season must submit an online acknowledgement which must be completed in full.  If there are any concerns with this, please contact the athletic office.

             2020-2021 SUPPLEMENTAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, WAIVER AND RELEASE:  COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic presents athletes with various challenges concerning this contagious illness.  Some severe outcomes have been reported in children, and children with mild or even asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 can spread the infection to others who may be far more vulnerable.  Certain vulnerable individuals may have greater health risks associated with exposure to COVID-19, including individuals with serious underlying health conditions such as, but not limited to: high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, asthma, and those whose immune systems that are compromised by chemotherapy for cancer, and other conditions requiring such therapy.

While it is not possible to eliminate all risk of being infected with or furthering the spread of COVID-19, the risk can be reduced.  PIAA has urged all member schools to take necessary precautions and comply with guidelines from the federal, state, and local governments, the CDC and the PA Departments of Health and Education to reduce the risks to athletes, coaches, and their families. As knowledge regarding COVID-19 is constantly changing, these guidelines may be modified to further implement steps needed to decrease the risk of exposure to athletes, coaches and others.  Additionally, each school has been required to adopt internal protocols to reduce the risk of transmission.  We acknowledge that we have received and reviewed the school’s health and safety plan.

By signing this form, the undersigned acknowledge, after having undertaken to review and understand both the symptoms and possible consequences of infection, that (1) they are aware of the contagious nature of COVID-19 and the risks that they may be exposed to or contract COVID-19 or other communicable diseases by permitting the undersigned student to participate in interscholastic athletics; (2) such exposure or infection may result in serious illness, personal injury, permanent disability and/or death; (3) this risk may result from or be compounded by the actions, omissions, or negligence of others; (4) participants will, in the course of competition, interact with and likely have physical contact with athletes from their own, as well as other, schools, including schools from other areas of the Commonwealth; (5) while risks can be managed in part, PIAA and its member schools cannot eliminate such risks nor guarantee that transmission will not occur for those participating in interscholastic athletics; and (6) participation in interscholastic athletics at any time, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is strictly voluntary.  

Notwithstanding the risks associated with COVID-19, we agree that we are voluntarily allowing the undersigned student to participate in interscholastic athletics for the 2020-2021 school year.  We willingly agree to comply with the stated guidelines put forth by PIAA and the student’s school to limit the exposure and spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.  

WE ALSO HEREBY AGREE TO ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL RISKS OF PERSONAL INJURY, ILLNESS, DISABILITY AND/OR DEATH RELATED TO COVID-19 TO THE STUDENT AND ALL FAMILY MEMBERS ARISING FROM SUCH PARTICIPATION, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF PIAA OR OTHERWISE.  WE ALSO EXPRESSLY AGREE TO WAIVE AND RELEASE OUR MEMBER SCHOOL(S), PIAA, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, MEMBER SCHOOLS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (collectively, “Releasees”) FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ON ACCOUNT OF ILLNESS, DISABILITY, DEATH OR OTHER HARM ARISING OUT OF OR ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STUDENT’S PARTICIPATION IN INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS AND BEING EXPOSED THEREFROM TO, OR CONTRACTING, COVID-19, WHETHER, ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE ANY RELEASEE.  WE COVENANT THAT WE WILL NOT MAKE OR BRING ANY CLAIM AGAINST ANY RELEASEE AND FOREVER RELEASE AND DISCHARGE RELEASEES FROM LIABILITY UNDER SUCH CLAIMS.

Additionally, we shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless all Releasees against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including attorney fees, fees, as well as the costs of enforcing any right to indemnification and the costs of pursuing any insurance providers, incurred by/awarded against any Releasees in a final judgment arising out or resulting from any claim by, or on behalf of, any of us or any of our family members, related to COVID-19.
                           
BY FILLING OUT THE INFORMATION BELOW, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE SVSD, PIAA and its member schools.