High school sports workouts set to return in SC. Here’s what we know
South Carolina’s private schools have a plan in place to begin summer workouts, and a proposal from public high schools could come by next week.
The South Carolina Independent Schools Association emailed a list of guidelines to its member schools this week about the return to practice fields, which can happen starting June 1.
No plan has been set for S.C. High School League schools, but one might be coming as early as next week, according to AccelerateED member Alan Walters. Walters said Thursday that the state’s AccelerateED education task force has been in contact with SCHSL commissioner Jerome Singleton, and a draft of a three-phase plan is in the works and could be released to schools next week.
“They include the use of face masks, social distancing and facility and equipment cleaning protocols,” Walters said. “It is a pretty extensive document.”
According to its rules, the earliest SCHSL teams are allowed to begin summer workouts is June 1. However, June 15 or July 1 are among the date options being considered for when public high schools can being those practices, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the planning discussions.
Sports around the country have been put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, and players and coaches are eager to get back on the field. Spring sports were shut down in March and no state championships were played.
SCISA listed only Phase 1 of its plan to its members this week. Some of the guidelines include:
▪ Daily screening for all of the athletes, which includes temperature checks.
▪ Outdoor workouts of 10 or less — including coaches — and groups separated by at least 25 yards, and players six feet apart.
Indoor workouts of five per 1,000 square feet. Social distancing and six feet apart.
▪ Weight training can include groups of five per 1,000 square feet, and no more than 10 people, including coaches.
▪ Recommendation of no use of locker rooms. Also not allowing balls or equipment for the first 14 calendar days.
▪ Coaches and staff must wear masks or face coverings at all times.
▪ Athletes should bring their own water bottles and stagger arrival time for groups.
SCISA Athletics Director Mike Fanning also issued a statement to its member schools with the guidelines, adding that teams can return to workouts when they are comfortable.
“SCISA acknowledges that different areas of South Carolina may move to resocialization at a different speed than other areas,” Fanning said in the email. “Each local school administration and board must decide when and what best fits their school’s extracurricular needs. This document in no way supersedes any mandates set forth by Governor McMaster or SCDHEC. It is intended to guide local school administrations toward thought-provoking discussions and in making decisions that best fit their local school community.”
The talk of high school athletes returning to practice comes a day after McMaster announced that youth sports can begin practice May 30 with games returning no sooner than June 15, all with health restrictions and social distancing guidelines in place for practices, warm-ups and games.
Sports that can resume include, but aren’t limited to, American Legion baseball, Dixie Youth baseball, Little League baseball, travel baseball, youth and adult softball, kickball, soccer, lacrosse and flag football.
Earlier this week, the National Federation of High Schools advisory panel sent out a 16-page list of recommendations for the states to consider for playing high school sports this fall. The recommendations allow a regional approach for resocialization.
The national guidelines called for a phased approach and suggest a possible breakdown by risk: higher risk, moderate and lower risk. Sports such as football and wrestling, due to close contact, are considered higher risk. Cross-country and golf, for example, are considered lower risk.
High school coaches around South Carolina are optimistic about having football in the fall, according to a poll conducted by The State, but they’re preparing for disruptions to the season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Of the 71 coaches who responded, 70 said they believe football will be played this year. About half of those coaches believe the season won’t start on time — the first games are scheduled for Aug. 20-22.
A variety of scheduling scenarios were offered by coaches who were surveyed, such as starting the season right after Labor Day or in the middle of September. Some coaches predicted the season might not begin until early October. And one coach suggested the possibility of not playing until the spring.
This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 5:17 PM.
