In more than 25 years of working in high school athletics, the decision to cancel an entire sports season was one of the most difficult for CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green.
"It really has been tough from the emotional side of it, but not an ounce of hesitation once we were aware and knowledgeable about the improbability of moving forward and providing a safe environment for our student-athletes," Blanford-Green said.
With May quickly approaching and no state championships to prepare for, the activities association is fully invested in working towards some form of a 2020 fall sports calendar.
"Data points don't show that we can get back to any type of normalcy with athletics or pubic gatherings before June or July," Blanford-Green said. "Without spring sports, I'm confident my staff can dedicate a lot of time to that."
It's tough to anticipate what August and September will look like right now but given the current climate of this country, delays are certainly a possibility.
"We are already making contingency plans for what that looks like," Blanford-Green said. "For a staggered start for some sports."
A delayed beginning which could effect team-based athletics such as tennis, softball, soccer and high school football. The latter being much more difficult to plan for given its physical demands.
"Right now there has to be an intentional focus on high school football because it is a 10-week season, they don't have the opportunity to play a game on Monday or Thursday," Blanford-Green said.
While there is currently a lot of gray area in how and when the next sports seasons will begin; when the time is right for a return, CHSAA will be waiting and ready for action.
"We are all motivated to get back to normalcy and provide these communities opportunities through athletics and activities as soon as possible," Blanford-Green said.
