A Grip on Sports: WIAA’s plan for high school sports includes a great deal of hope virus numbers fall
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Remember the ads for movie sequels? “Rambo 17. This time it’s personal.” The emphasis was always on the last word. The same can be said for this column today, even if we are talking about high school sports in the state of Washington.
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• The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association is trying hard to get your favorite high school athletes out on the fields, the courts and the courses in the upcoming academic year. But all those athletes need your help.
See, the WIAA announced a new schedule for sports last night – I had the day wrong for its meeting in yesterday’s column, for which I apologize profusely; Dave Nichols didn’t and he has the coverage you need here. It outlines the organization’s latest attempt to work around the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plan divides the school year into four seasons (immediately making me think of Frankie Valli, but that’s a digression only fans of musicals, New Jersey or doo-wop music would make), with the high-impact fall sports, mainly football but also volleyball and girls soccer, moved to March, when one can hope the pandemic has calmed to a level allowing them to happen.
The crucial word here is “hope.”
All the WIAA’s plans are at the mercy of the virus – and how we deal with it. As you know, we aren’t dealing with it all that well right now. Heck, even the president acknowledged that yesterday. And Washington isn’t some kind of tropical island in the sea of sickness (neither is Idaho, but that discussion is for another time). The numbers in the Spokane area aren’t leveling off, let alone dropping. And unless they do, high school sports won’t happen, new schedule or not.
What the WIAA administrators did yesterday is buy time. Time for everyone to wise up, follow guidelines and do their part to stop the spread of this contagious disease. If they don’t? No high school sports. Heck, no in-person high school (or elementary or middle), period. Kids will be stuck at home without the release, mentally and physically, sports brings. No interaction with others. No learning the time-tested way.
Spokane County is stuck in Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s recovery guidelines, and has been stuck there seemingly forever. The number of people infected won’t allow a move forward. And high school sports need at least Phase 3, for low-contact sports, or Phase 4, for the higher contact and indoor ones, to proceed.
Around the world, sports are returning at all levels. That’s because other developed nations have gotten a handle on the virus and, if not eliminating it, have tamped it down enough to proceed. How? For the most part by following the same guidelines our health experts have asked us to follow. At their core, they call for living an other-centered life for a while, wearing masks to protect those around us from contracting the virus. How novel an idea, thinking of others. A guy I happen to admire proposed such an idea a couple centuries ago and got nailed to a cross for his trouble.
Look, we have already lost one tradition, football on Friday nights in the fall. Only with diligence can we ensure we don’t lose any more.
• Why is it personal? Probably should explain that introduction, shouldn’t I?
Well, last year I returned to coaching high school sports. Basketball this time. And I enjoyed it immensely. The girls I worked with were special, even as they had to deal with some issues no high school-aged person should ever have to endure.
I was looking forward to helping them improve over the summer. That was washed away by the flood of infections. I was looking forward to getting back in the gym with them in mid-November. That has also been pushed aside. A two-month season doesn’t feel long enough, but it is the best that can be done at this time, probably better than California’s two-season plan that will force many athletes to choose between sports.
But without your help, even the two-month season may be optimistic. It is just a hope, a hope based on an assumption all of us will band together with one goal: eliminating transmission. So far, it hasn’t happened. But there is always tomorrow, a day that depends on doing the right thing today.
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WSU: Since the first time I watched Abraham Lucas at practice a couple years ago, it seemed to me I was watching not only an outstanding college offensive lineman, but a long-term pro as well. Only time will tell about that second part, but the first is clear to everyone connected with college football. As Theo Lawson passes along here, Lucas is once again on the Outland Trophy watch list. … Jahad Woods is three-for-three on watch lists this year. Theo has the story about the latest, the Bronko Nagurski Award. … If there are football games to attend this fall, there is a new restaurant in Pullman to enjoy. Adriana Janovich has the story. … Around the Pac-12 and college sports, here’s a good question. There is an answer, however. That’s if, however, schools can keep certain groups under wraps. Good luck. … Oregon has two linemen on the Outland list, including last year’s winner. There are others around the conference as well on the watch lists released yesterday. … An Oregon State player deals with his depression with a variety of strategies. … A USC tight end enters the transfer portal. … In basketball news, Oregon State is back on the court and received a prized commitment yesterday. … Colorado expects one player to supply a lot. … How will Utah’s basketball program deal with any schedule curtailment?
Gonzaga: Jim Meehan spoke with Larry Weir yesterday. The subject? Filip Petrusev leaving Gonzaga, of course. Yep, it’s the latest Press Box podcast. … BYU knows Petrusev’s decision doesn’t weaken the Zags as much as it would some schools.
EWU: Man, that’s bright. The new red turf is being installed at Roos Field and, after 10 years of use, it is now obvious how much the old turf faded. Ryan Collingwood has a short story, but it’s Jesse Tinsley’s installation photos that steal the show.
Preps: If you want to know just when each sport is planned, just click this link to Dave’s story. The visual representation of the seasons is attached to the story. … As you might have guessed, there is other coverage of the announcement from all around the state as well.
Mariners: Just who will be on the 30-man roster when the season begins Friday? Wait, the season starts Friday? Cool. … The M’s are counting on Yusei Kikuchi even more this season. … Consistency is a trait of the best big league players.
Seahawks: If the high school sports schedule weren’t more important in this area, Michael Bennett’s retirement announcement would have been my main subject today. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more talented player that caused more angst among a fanbase than Bennett did in his time with the Seahawks. And I’m not even talking about his off-the-field pronouncements. I’m referring to his propensity for anticipating the snap count way too often. … The roster countdown continues. … Quinton Dunbar can attend camp, which is to open soon. … The NFL is learning what other pro leagues have learned. The virus causes lots of headaches.
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• You know, I spoke with Larry Weir on Monday and the conversation made up his Press Box podcast that day. And yet, even though I was the honored guest, I forgot to post a link here. Humility? Trying to save myself embarrassment from the dumb things I said? Old age-caused lack of memory? It’s one of those. But I forget which. Until later …