No matter who I run into these days, no matter where it is, the question, or questions are pretty much the same: What is school going to look like? and Are we going to have Fall Sports.
Well, the entry plans for schools are starting to come out, the Reeds Spring Plan will be released to the public today. I will concentrate on the later question, here.
The short answer is: I hope so.
We have to plan like it will go on as usual. I have been working, as if Week 1 of the Football Season will go on August 28th. I am also planning for softball, volleyball, and soccer Broadcasts. And, looking forward to another Cross Country Season.
In reality, the answer is: I don’t know. NOBODY DOES. We truly live in a world that is day by day.
There is no doubt, what I want. I want all seasons to happen. But, more than that, I want to keep our kids safe.
If we could only get what we want. I want a cure for Covid-19. I want it put behind us. I want all of us to get along. I want to return to a time where we could disagree but remain the best of friends. (I could go on, but you get the idea)
I want to applaud the Missouri Football Coaches. They took steps, themselves, to shutdown interactions between teams. Thus, preventing any chance of spreading from one team to another and thus giving us the best shot possible to make it to the start of the Season.
I have been watching what other starts are doing. Arkansas is taking a watch and see mode, similar to ours. Oklahoma is doing likewise, Now, Texas is doing something interesting with football. They are starting their smaller schools as usual but pushing back the start of the season for bigger schools a few weeks. California will not play football until December or possibly January.
Colleges are taking different approaches, as well. The Big Ten and Pac 12 have announced they will go to a conference only schedule this year. JUCO schools are going to play, but not until Spring.
If we do play, it is bound to be a little different. Could we play with limited to no fans? Its a possibility. Could media be limited? Certainly. What if someone tests positive? Again, dont know.
It is still fresh in our minds, the way we felt for all those student athletes that missed their Spring Sports Seasons. None of us want a repeat of that. But, unfortunately, none of us has the answers.
So, teams will prepare. Lets just hope they will get to play.
WILL THEY GET TO PLAY? I sure hope so, but I DON’T KNOW