OSSAA Dead Week

June is over and July is in full swing. This means that it is time for the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association Dead Week. Dead Week runs from June 30 to July 7, 2024, and is the time that athletes can’t participate in any school athletic activities.

The OSSAA doesn’t even allow the use of the school’s athletic facilities during that time. Secondary-level students who are enrolled, or even pre-enrolled, at a school that is an OSSAA member can’t use any school’s athletic facilities.

Coaches,assistantcoaches and sponsors can’t even have any contact with the student athletes.

The OSSAA Dead Week was created in 2019 to give student athletes a week of rest during the hottest part of the summer. This is also a chance for the athletes to be able to recuperate from the high-impact sports and demanding, rigorous schedules.

The week always revolves around July 4, and has strict rules.

Coaches, or assistant coaches who violate the rules of Dead Week face a potential suspension for the first half of theseason.Theyareevenprohibited from responding to a sponsor, athlete or spectator.

Many people have criticized Dead Week, saying that it impedes the team’s chemistry and momentum. However, others have hailed it as a good thing because it gives student athletes the opportunity to rest and enjoy Independence Day.