Concerns linger as SC high school sports prepare to resume workouts
As high school sports workouts for South Carolina public schools get ready to begin, there are plenty of questions on the minds of the schools, athletes and parents.
Some of them include:
▪ What if an athlete tests positive for COVID-19?
▪ Concerns over athletes and coaching having to wear masks, and properly sanitizing equipment;
▪ Who will administer daily temperature checks?
▪ Will fall sports season start on time?
S.C. High School League commissioner Jerome Singleton and medical professionals throughout the state took time Thursday discuss concerns and answer question about the process that lies ahead.
“The biggest question from the very beginning, ‘Are we going to have a fall sports season?’” Singleton said. ”I’d like for us to.
“I hope that we pay attention to the safety measures that have been put in place by DHEC and that we pay attention to the measures that are put in place to prevent the spread of the virus even more. If we do those types of things, and we can make it from one phase to the next, I feel confident that we can have a fall sports season.”
The SCHSL announced last week that public schools can begin Phase 1 for summer workouts, which mostly includes conditioning and weightlifting on campuses and in smaller groups. Outdoor exercises, for example, are limited to 10 people — nine students and a coach.
The league left the start date for workouts up to each school district. In the Midlands, Gray Collegiate is planning to start on Monday, with Kershaw County Schools hoping for June 15 and Lexington 2 targeting June 22. Other area school districts — such as Richland 1, Richland 2, Lexington-Richland 5 and Lexington 1 — haven’t decided on a start.
Spartanburg Districts 4 and 6 will start Monday (June 8) and Spartanburg 1, 3 and 5 and Union County will start June 15. Chesterfield County Schools won’t start until July 1.
Many coaches were disappointed that the league chose not to give a definitive date for everyone to follow, with some suggesting an advantage for schools that are able to start practice before others.
“If you look at what is involved with Phase 1, it is just conditioning and those could have been done virtually. Then the only thing that has been added is some working with the ball,” Singleton said. “We don’t see that as being a competitive advantage. This is a time for coaches to reconnect with the student-athletes and some of them are struggling at this time. They have been separated since March.”
Teams won’t be allowed to use a ball for the first 10 days, or 14 calendar days. There is no timetable for how long Phase 1 will last, according to Singleton. He said a lot of factors will determine whether or not schools can move to Phase 2, including the spread of the disease across the state.
Just Thursday, S.C. health officials announced 361 additional South Carolinians have tested positive for COVID-19. It’s the fourth time in the last week with 300 or more new cases in a single day.
“There is a lot more information we are going to gather over the next few weeks. We are hopeful to move to Phase 2. We have to reiterate, we have to do what we need to do to give confidence to our society that we have to move forward,” said Dr. Christopher Mazoue, the chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at South Carolina. “We are talking about high school athletes across the state of South Carolina. There is a responsibility there. As leaders, coaches, administrators, we have to do our part to give kids the best chance to play this fall.”
The S.C. Independent Schools Association allowed its members to begin workouts this week. The Midlands’ largest private schools — Hammond, Cardinal Newman, Heathwood Hall and Ben Lippen — will start Monday. Hammond posted pictures Thursday on Twitter of outdoor hand-washing stations being put on the field and spots designed where athletes should stand for drills.
The S.C. High School League hasn’t stated what its Phase 2 will encompass, but the National Federation of State High School Associations’ guidelines for Phase 2 include allowing the use of locker rooms and more students in a single workout.
Singleton didn’t elaborate on whether or not he thought the football season would start on time on Aug. 20, not wanting to be tied to a date, he said. He also said there has been no consideration to move sports considered to have lower levels of disease risk — such as baseball, track and soccer — to the fall.
According to guidelines sent out last week, daily health screenings for athletes will be required each day before practice. Singleton said a “responsible adult” will be required to administer the temperature check each day, whether it be a coach, nurse, doctor or full-time employee of the school.
If an athlete tests positive for COVID-19, Singleton said he would like for the schools to report to DHEC. There is no policy requiring schools to announce positive tests to the league. If any student tests positive, all players and the coach in the workout pod will have to quarantine for 14 days.
Singleton also was asked on possible penalties if schools aren’t following the rules set forth in the guidelines.
“The biggest penalty would be the opportunity to not play sports,” Singleton said. “I don’t think any of the members wants that. I believe and trust that our membership does the right thing that it doesn’t become an issue for us.”
This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 6:41 PM.
