Winter weather plays havoc with high school sports, especially when classes are canceled due to snow and cold temperatures.

Do these activities still take place??

21 Sports checked with commissioners from area leagues and some schools to determine what procedures they follow.

First, there is no statewide or nothing in the OHSAA bylaws that schools can follow in these situations.

The Northeast 8 (NE8), the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC), and the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference(EOAC), which has the majority of area schools, all have the same policy.

"Varsity events can be played if both schools mutually agree."  For this to happen, conditions have to improve, and these decisions are usually made in the early afternoon.

The Northeast Athletic Conference has the majority of its small schools in northern Trumbull County and has league members in three different counties.  Their rule is "No school, no athletic events."

The Diocese of Youngstown, which includes Cardinal Mooney, Ursuline, and Warren JFK, has a similar policy of "not in class, no sports."

However, due to scheduling issues, getting games in, and official availability, schools will elect to play if conditions are safe.

There are times when classes are canceled for power, water, or heating issues, and if those problems are resolved, the events can take place.

School officials make "common sense" decisions and confirm the safety and well-being of teams, coaches, bus drivers, and parents are their number one priority.

For junior high sports, it's universal across the board, "No school, all activities are canceled."