SC high schools gathering data. Decision on fall sports could come next week
There are still plenty of questions to be answered about the high school sports season in South Carolina.
But SC High School League commissioner Jerome Singleton hopes to have some answers in the coming next week. The league sent out a survey to principals, superintendents and athletic directors throughout the state Monday to get their input about the 2020-21 athletic calendar.
The parties have until Thursday to complete it. Singleton and the league’s staff hopes to use the information as they try and put together possible proposals to bring before the executive committee next week. It is possible at next week’s meeting, the committee could vote on proposals or give the SCHSL the authority to choose the best one for the upcoming season.
“We want to find out what everyone’s thoughts are and have as much feedback as possible and what works best for our membership. We are looking to find trends among the answers and have something to bring before the executive committee,” Singleton said Tuesday. “We will try to come up with multiple proposals that will give us flexibility in case we have to make changes.”
Singleton said the league wouldn’t commit to a date on having a plan in place but acknowledges time is getting short on the matter. The first official date of practice around the state is July 31 with the first football games set for Aug. 20. But most coaches and athletic directors around the state believe starting on time is unlikely at this point.
The State obtained the 14-question survey sent out and the questions include:
▪ Biggest concerns for the 2020-21 school year
▪ Top safety and operations priorities for the upcoming year, including having fans at games, transportation and length of seasons
▪ Moving high risk sports such as football and cheerleading into the winter or spring if they can’t be played in the fall
▪ Condensing all sports seasons including playoffs so that all sports can be played this year
▪ Should athletic contests be held even if some schools are closed to in-person learning?
Some districts around the state already are planning different scenarios to begin classes next month. Lexington County has proposed a hybrid model which includes some days with in-person learning and other days done virtually.
On Monday, Sumter School District said they will begin classes virtually and move into a hybrid model.
Singleton said it would be possible to hold athletic contests even if their district is doing virtual learning only but realizes some districts might not be in favor of it.
Information from the survey won’t be the only metric used when coming with possible proposals. Singleton said the league remains in contact with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control on a regular basis to see current health trends and numbers throughout the state.
Singleton said the high school league is also looking at what other states are doing in the matter.
Tennessee was expected to make an announcement about their sports season on Wednesday but said no decision would be made. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s State of Emergency bans contact sports until at least Aug. 29.
North Carolina High School League had a press conference on Wednesday but didn’t announce a plan for the fall.
New Mexico announced Thursday it is moving football to the spring.
“We need to make a decision from this office on what is best for South Carolina,” Singleton said.
The league also is open to consider proposals submitted throughout the state. S.C. Football Coaches Association board of directors met last week to discuss possible alternatives for the fall season should there be a disruption because of the spike in coronavirus cases around the state.
The group’s four suggested options range from a normal season as scheduled all the way to holding off on all sports entirely until January, if necessary. The coaches are expected to meet again this week on the topic.
Most S.C. coaches still believe there will be a high school football season this fall, according to an online poll conducted by The State. Of the almost 60 responses, however, 72% believe the season will start late or be shortened because of the coronavirus.
South Carolina public schools got the go-ahead to begin summer workouts June 8. But since then, many districts have pulled the plug or delayed the start of those activities because of the increase in new COVID-19 cases. Gray Collegiate and Kershaw County schools are the only Midlands public schools still conducting workouts.
The Palmetto State has been at or above record daily coronavirus case counts over the last three weeks. There were 934 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, the lowest total in more than a week but hospitalizations and more than 20 percent of those tested came back positive.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster issued a warning during a news conference last week that high school and college football seasons are in jeopardy because of COVID-trends.
McMaster’s current executive order bans such things as spectator sports, concerts and movie theaters. That ban will remain in place until the state turns the corner with the coronavirus, he said.
“I will not remove those restrictions. I cannot lift those restrictions, if these numbers continue to rise and the danger persists. I can’t do it. I won’t do it,” McMaster said. “This fall will not be like other falls. We will not be able to have college football. We will not be able to have high school football.”
This story was originally published July 8, 2020 at 11:17 AM.
