Student-athletes and coaches at Ponca City High School have the week off with no activities, practices or workouts.

The situation is due to the annual “Dead Week” mandated by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. The Dead Week started July 1 and runs through July 9.

The OSSAA decree states: “The summertime OSSAA dead week period is July 1-July 9, 2023. During this time, student-athletes cannot participate in school athletic activities.

--Secondary-level students enrolled or pre-enrolled students at a member school may not use any members school’s athletic facilities during the dead period in connection with any athletic activities governed by the OSSAA.

--Member school coaches, assistant coaches and sponsors may not have any contact with secondary-level enrolled or pre-enrolled students in that member school in any athletic activity governed by the OSSAA for the purpose of coaching, training or instructing.

Once dead week is over, a return to summer conditioning programs and practice sessions is permitted.

The OSSAA dead week traditionally coincides with the July 4 national celebration.