Weather Related Information
Weather-Related Practice & Event Decision Policy
The Shakopee Boys Basketball Association (SBBA) is committed to providing a safe, consistent, and transparent approach to weather-related decisions. Minnesota weather can change quickly, and our goal is to prioritize the safety of players, families, coaches, and volunteers while minimizing confusion and last-minute uncertainty.
This page outlines how SBBA evaluates weather conditions and how decisions are made.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
When weather becomes a factor, SBBA leadership evaluates conditions using the following principles:
- Safety first — particularly for youth participants and volunteer coaches
- Consistency — association-wide decisions whenever possible
- Clear communication — timely updates to reduce uncertainty
- Shared responsibility — avoiding pressure on families to choose between safety and attendance
Our objective is not simply to determine whether activities can occur, but whether they should.
Decision-Making Framework
SBBA uses the following order of decision-making when evaluating weather conditions:
1. School District Status
Shakopee Public Schools serve as the baseline for all facility access decisions.
- If the school district cancels after-school or evening activities, all SBBA practices and events are automatically cancelled.
- If buildings are closed or facilities are unavailable, activities cannot be held.
2. Consultation with the Athletics Department
When schools remain open, SBBA leadership consults with the Shakopee High School Athletics Department regarding:
- Facility operations
- Safety considerations
- Evening building access
- Known concerns related to weather conditions
This collaboration allows SBBA to align with school operations while evaluating the unique risks associated with youth sports travel.
3. Weather Conditions & Forecast Review
SBBA leadership monitors guidance from the National Weather Service and evaluates:
- Wind chill values
- Snow and ice accumulation
- Visibility and travel conditions
- Timing of worsening or improving conditions
- Evening travel risks for families and coaches
While actual air temperature is considered, wind chill and travel conditions are the primary decision factors.
Common Weather-Related Cancellation Triggers
Practices or events may be cancelled association-wide when one or more of the following conditions are present:
- School district cancellation of after-school or evening activities
- Facility closures
- City-declared snow emergencies
- Blizzard warnings, ice storm warnings, or winter storm warnings during travel hours
- Forecasted wind chill of −25°F or colder, particularly during evening practice times
These thresholds align with common Minnesota youth-sports safety standards.
Why SBBA May Cancel When Schools Remain Open
School districts and youth sports associations operate under different conditions.
School decisions are based on:
- Students already in buildings
- Daytime transportation systems
- Staff already on site
SBBA must also consider:
- Evening travel conditions
- Families driving from multiple locations
- Volunteer coaches traveling late at night
- Parking lot and side-street safety
- Vehicles starting after extended cold exposure
For this reason, SBBA may cancel activities even when schools remain open.
Attendance During Weather Events
When practices remain scheduled during inclement weather:
- Families should always use their best judgment.
- Players will never be penalized for missing practice due to weather or transportation concerns.
- Communication with coaches is encouraged when attendance is impacted.
Player Pickup & Supervision Policy
For every practice and event:
- No player should ever be left at a school alone.
- Coaches are required to remain on site until every player has a safe ride home, regardless of weather conditions.
This policy is strictly enforced to ensure player safety at all times.
Communication Timeline
SBBA strives to communicate weather decisions as early as reasonably possible:
- Early afternoon updates when forecasts are clear
- No later than mid-afternoon for evening practices whenever feasible
Decisions and updates are communicated through official SBBA channels.
Shared Responsibility
Extreme weather events require cooperation across our community.
SBBA encourages:
- Families to prioritize safety
- Coaches to communicate concerns early
- Association members to support one another when needed
Working together helps ensure safe outcomes for everyone involved.
Questions
If you have questions regarding weather-related decisions, please contact SBBA leadership through our official communication channels.