The 2020 Spring high school sports season has been put to a halt through at least April 12 due to the coronavirus threat.Kentucky High Schools Athletic Association Commissioner Julian Tackett sent a letter to all school after receiving guidance from Gov. Andy Beshear, public health officials and the Kentucky Department of Education.KHSAA declared all sports and sport-activities, regardless of season, to be in a dead period through April 12 with an evaluation to be made sometime prior to April 11 if the period would be extended.During this time, students can not participate in any organized team activity, organized or semi-organized team competition in any sport or sport-activity in any format at any location in any state where school personnel (paid or unpaid) are involved, in attendance or receiving reports of performance, according to the letter.Students also may not participate in activities such as weight training, skill development, individual camps, team camps or open gym or field activities even if no inter-school competition is involved.Students also may not receive coaching or training from school personnel (either salaried or non-salaried) in any KHSAA sanctioned sport or sport-activity.School facilities, uniforms, nicknames, transportation or equipment, may not be used in any KHSAA-sanctioned sport or sport-activity.School funds may not be expended in support of interscholastic athletics in any KHSAA-sanctioned sport or sport-activity.This restricted period does not preclude communication between school, athletic department and coaching representatives to team members and/or families of players on the current roster.Postseason wrap-up activities, celebrations and recognition events relating to a sport or sport-activity team at a school also may not be held.At this point, there are no plans to cancel state championship play in the spring sports and sport activities of baseball, softball, tennis, track and field, archery, bass fishing or esports season 2, but that obviously merits consideration, even with potentially abbreviated seasons, Tackett said in the letter. There is also no current consideration to seeking alternate locations or dates for sports state championship play beyond the currently scheduled dates. The information related to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) is ever-evolving, and changes happen quickly. We will inform all stakeholders if there are any changes in circumstances. We are hopeful that with all of the collaborative efforts of the citizens of our Commonwealth, we see this situation subside very quickly, and we have to be leaders in that journey.Grant County High School Athletic Director Brian Smallwood said he was anticipating some adjustment would be made to the Spring season.Understanding that the decision was in the best interest for the health and safety of all involved, I am pleased that we are only facing postponement at this time, Smallwood said. My hope is that the postponement is minimal and the season resumes soon.Williamstown Independent Schools Athletic Director Roger Newton said he was a little shocked at first, but he understood the decision by KHSAA.We are in uncharted waters and I think most leaders are taking the stance of error on the side of precaution, Newton said. When we saw the major sports leagues shut down, it was most obviously the best and only option he and the KDE had to make. With so many new things being learned each day about this pandemic and the spread of the virus, you have to take that approach. Sports, for many, is such a vital part of our society and lifestyle. However, something like this we are experiencing puts sports and other interests in perspective quickly. I hope the return of sports is something that we can look forward to as we try to get through this difficult period.Newton said the teams had been practicing for about three weeks and were about to start having scrimmages and games.It is hard to go through your Spring training period then have the plug pulled on you, Newton said. If we were allowed to play games on April 13, we had discussed the need to have at least one week of conditioning and practice to get prepared before playing actual games. If we were to try and play games immediately, we felt it would not be prudent for our student-athletes. It would be hard to go dormant for four weeks and then come to play games right away. The knowledge and training we have would say we would be putting athletes in a great risk for injury and the loss of some or all of their remaining season as well.At the minimum, Smallwood said the postponement will mean a shorter season.With that said, the decision of the KHSAA to institute a dead period brings about an equal playing field for the duration of the postponement, Smallwood said. Overall, I believe there is still opportunity for a great Spring season even with it shortened.Smallwood said there obviously has been a lot of emotion over the decision from players and coaches.I believe the biggest concern among both players and coaches is whether they will have a season at all and what it will look like, Smallwood said. While concerned with the unknown, both players and coaches have been very flexible and willing to do what is necessary to focus on being able to resume their season at the earliest date possible.Newton said most WHS coaches, while in shock, understand the gravity of the situation.Most (coaches) are parents themselves and are concerned for their families and the ability to keep them safe and provide for their needs, Newton said. They would love nothing more than to have the opportunity to coach and to be around their athletes. You prepare all year for this window of 10-12 weeks of competition and then have it pulled before it ever gets started. It has to be tough on them. The players I have spoken with or heard from are optimistic, but are having a tough time trying to wrap their heads around it. They are smart. They listen and are connected to the world around them. They are continuing to train and condition on their own as if they will have an abbreviated season. As each day goes by and we hear more, they are also having to consider the possibility that they may not have a season. That is tough for 13-18 year olds. I can only hope and pray that they get a chance to have some normalcy very soon. This means the opportunity to get back to in-school instruction, to be around their friends and hopefully back to the sport they love.As long as everyone adheres to guidelines that have been set in place to curb further spread of COVID-19, Smallwood is optimistic the Spring season will resume and the athletes will be able to have fun again.Undoubtedly, the last several days have been intense with decisions at all levels that are not easy, Smallwood said. One thing we must remember is the goal is to keep everyone as healthy and safe as possible during this time. Life gets in the way sometimes and you have to make adjustments. My outlook is to remain positive and hopeful that all things will return to what we know as normal daily activity very soon.While he does not have a crystal ball, Newton said while he is hopeful the season will resume, there could be a possibility that the dead period is extended and Spring sports are lost.I am extremely saddened for our seniors, Newton said. If they lose their entire season, they cant get that back. We saw this with the cancellation of the NCAA basketball season and the cancellation of the NCAA tournament. At a time when they should be experiencing great highs and final games competing against district or rival schools, they have been locked out. It has to be very difficult sitting and waiting and wondering if they will have a senior season.(Editors note: The Spring Sports Preview that was set to run in the March 19 issue of the Grant County News has been postponed until a definite decision has been made on the start of the season.)
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Spring sports activities halted through April 12 - Grant County News Online
