SC high school sports teams cleared to begin summer workouts, but there’s a catch
High school sports teams around the state have been given the green light to begin summer workouts, but there are still decisions to be made before those can happen.
S.C. High School League commissioner Jerome Singleton announced Thursday that the state’s public schools can begin summer workouts, but the group is not issuing any guidance regarding a start date. Instead, the league says schools can begin activities when their district or school permits academic group activities on campus.
That decision is unlike some neighboring states. Alabama (June 1), Georgia (June 8) and North Carolina (June 15) have all advised its high schools schools on when activities can begin. Tennessee is letting each individual county decide when they can return.
And in South Carolina, most of the state’s private schools — governed separately by the S.C. Independent Schools Association — can begin workouts as soon as June 1, which is this coming Monday.
The S.C. High School League, however, is leaving the decision up to its schools and school districts. Coaches, athletic directors and districts were beginning to have those discussions Thursday afternoon.
“It is too vague. We want a definitive date,” Dutch Fork coach Knotts said. “We need a full plan, not a partial plan. Lay it out in front of us.”
The SCHSL has 206 members, including traditional public schools as well as 21 public charter schools and four private schools.
Most coaches The State talked to Thursday wanted a clearer and more defined start to practices, but C.E. Murray High School football coach Brian Smith, via Twitter, said the “SCHSL has done a great job these guidelines ... definitely make sure there will be no rush that puts are students & staff members in danger! We applaud you!”
Singleton plans to meet with the schools in an online meeting next Thursday to address any concerns.
Singleton and his staff have been working with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and other state health officials to decide how to begin summer workouts in preparation for a fall sports season. The plan will be implemented in three stages.
Phase 1 will remain in place until further notice. The league staff will continue to communicate with the governor’s office and DHEC to establish triggers to move into Phases 2 and 3.
“The goal is to allow the athletes, coaches and staff to begin in-person training and group workouts while maintaining a safe environment,” Singleton said in a statement to the schools. “It is imperative that if schools choose to begin implementing Phase 1, they do so under the guidelines set forth. Schools continue to have the option of utilizing technology to communicate and train student-athletes if they decide not to implement in-person, on-campus contact currently.
“Please understand that some families may not feel it is safe or appropriate to begin in-person workouts at this time. Also, many families may have plans for the previously scheduled summer dead weeks. In both instances, student-athletes should be allowed to return to team activities without repercussions when they feel it is appropriate to do so. In these unprecedented times, please allow for participation without mandatory attendance requirements during the summer period.”
Some of the SCHSL guidelines for Phase 1 include:
▪ All athletes, coaches, and staff should be screened daily for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 prior to participating, including a temperature check;
▪ Adequate cleaning schedules should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities;
▪ No more than 10 athletes per workout at a time inside or outside;
▪ Face coverings should be worn by athletes when not participating in the sports activity. Coaches and staff, and officials, should wear cloth face coverings at all times during the workout sessions
▪Locker rooms should not be utilized during Phase 1.
▪ No balls or sports equipment for first 10 days of workouts or 14 calendar days to minimize common contact points.
The SCHSL also issued a word of caution regarding the fall sports season: “Due to the possibility of recurrent outbreaks in the coming months, schools be prepared for the possibility of some teams having to quarantine for two or more weeks while in-season. Development of policies is recommended regarding practice and/or competition during temporary school closures, the cancellation of contests during the regular season, and parameters for the cancellation or premature ending to postseason events/competitions.”
Sports around the country have been put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. Spring high school sports in South Carolina were shut down in March and officially canceled on April 23. Since then, no on-campus workouts have been allowed. Any activities that have taken place have been voluntary, virtual and not held in groups.
Last week, the National Federation of High Schools’ advisory panel sent out a 16-page list of recommendations for states to consider for playing high school sports this fall. The recommendations allow a regional approach for resuming activities amid the pandemic.
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 because of the sports’ greater ability to social distance.
“The urge to return to normal is understandable, but the path back to where we were three months ago will take time, and that time will not happen at the expense of the safety and well-being of everyone involved in high school sports and performing arts programs,” NFHS president Dr. Karissa Niehoff said this week in post on the NFHS website.
Players and coaches are eager to get back on the field. 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 28, 2020 at 2:17 PM.
