Officials from the Eastern Connecticut Conference decided Thursday to postpone the upcoming high school football combine because of concerns related to COVID-19.

The event, scheduled for Saturday morning New London High School, was to allow players to perform in front of prospective college coaches.

Local health officials, in conjunction with the state, voiced concern over the size of the event, which had 139 players (juniors and seniors) registered to compete, according to ECC football chairperson and Ledyard athletic director/assistant principal Jim Buonocore.

"After further consultation with Stephen Mansfield (Director of Health for Ledge Light Health District) and New London Mayor Michael Passero, we all agreed that this was the best decision for our communities, schools, student-athletes and coaches," Buonocore said in a release.

"Mayor Passero, who was also in consultation with the governor's office, has been gracious enough to continue to work with the ECC to perhaps reschedule the event to a later time frame where the health metrics are better suited for this."

Mansfield wrote a letter to Buonocore which read in part, "based on our discussion and a review of the COVID status in New London and the other communities that would participate in the event this weekend, we believe it is in the best interest of all involved parties to cancel the event.

"I want to be clear that the plans you have presented to us are thorough and, in our opinion, provide the best level of protection possible for an event like this. Unfortunately, the current COVID situation in our communities, coupled with the guidance provided by the Governor's office, does not support having an event of this magnitude at this point in time."

Modified ECC tournaments for fall sports are still scheduled as planned, starting with three cross country meets for boys and girls on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Two races will be held at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford and a third will take place on the South campus of Woodstock Academy.

"I want to reiterate that as the ECC football chairperson, I am in full support of this decision to postpone the event at this time," Buonocore said.

m.dimauro@theday.com