Ohio high school sports are still on for the fall — at least for now.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Governor Mike DeWine announced the approval of all high school sports in the fall. It’s a step in the right direction for those that want to proceed forward with high school football and other sports during the coronavirus pandemic. Without a statewide mandate, the decision to play will now fall on individual conferences and schools.
DeWine said he collaborated with many stakeholders in allowing fall sports to proceed — speaking to parents, students, administrators, and medical experts. He did reiterate that the decision to play does not come without risk, however.
“I hope that the desire to have a season will inspire our student-athletes to be as careful as they can 24/7,” DeWine said. “I hope our coaches will use this as an opportunity to focus on helping these young people understand what really is at stake and that if they’re going to be able to play that they’re gonna have to do whatever they can to keep COVID out of their team.”
Additionally, spectators at any games that are played will be extremely limited. Only family members and those who are close to the athlete playing will be allowed to attend. Those decisions will be up to the individual schools.
DeWine also emphasized the need and benefits of playing sports through the concerns of a worldwide pandemic.
“Just as going back to school in person increases the risks, sports – and especially contact sports – does as well. The more spread there is in community and the school, the higher the risk is in the community. On the other hand, we know the importance of sports. Sports matters and makes a difference.”
So, if you are keeping score — and I know you are — young student-athletes in high school are able to play, but college student-athletes with much more stringent monitoring and protocols in place cannot.
We aren’t writing the memo, we are just reading it.
