The FHSAA has yet to cancel spring sports as they continue to hold out hope to resume play in June. But is this the safest decision to make for everyone involved?
While a dozen states have made the decision to cancel all spring sports for the rest of the season, Florida continues to remain hopeful.
Schools are still delayed until May 4, with many taking online classes, while the FHSAA announced in a statement that they can extend the season through June 30, but may not extend after school is let out depending on when kids are let back in the school.
“The FHSAA does understand the hardships caused by COVID-19 and the inability to play spring sports,” the FHSAA said in a released statement. “If we are not able to continue spring sports, the FHSAA is working diligently to create a plan regarding additional eligibility for students who have not been able to participate in spring sports.”
Florida currently has the seventh highest number of cases of the coronavirus in the United States, and with the rate of everything happening in the country, it becomes a question of the safety of letting athletes play. It may be time for the FHSAA to give up hope and cancel the spring season. Many projections don’t see the spread of COVID-19 slowing down until well into the summer, and allowing the introduction of spring sports in early May until the end of June seems unrealistic.
I understand the desire to continue sports, and the withdrawals are hitting the entire country, but the safety and wellness of the student-athletes, coaches, officiating crews, parents, and fans should remain the number one priority.
The FHSAA also said they intend to figure out a way to allow students to get another year of eligibility, and while there’s a lot of questions behind that, this is the safest possible scenario. I love sports as much as anyone else, but this is of course bigger than sports and involves the health of everyone.
So, it pains me to say, but don’t rush sports back. Stay safe. Stay indoors. Then we’ll all celebrate when it’s safe to play once again.
Written by: Kyle Grondin
