HIGH SCHOOLS GET PLAN FOR RETURN
National HS group offers guidelines to reopen sports
The National Federation of State High School Associations released a set of guidelines for state associations to follow as they consider opening up high school athletics during the coronavirus pandemic.
The guidelines don’t mention any specific timelines, but they are specific about what should happen in each of the three phases. The Illinois High School Association traditionally has followed NFHS recommendations closely.
The guidelines recommend that ‘‘state, local or school district guidelines for cloth face coverings should be strictly followed’’ and says that cloth face coverings should be worn by students during Phases 1 and 2 of the plan. Exceptions will be made for swimming, distance running and other highintensity aerobic activity.
Coaches and officials may wear cloth face coverings at all times during Phases 1 through 3.
Here’s a quick overview of each phase:
Phase 1
♦ All coaches and students will be given a temperature check before a workout.
♦ No gatherings of more than 10 people at a time. Workouts will be conducted in ‘‘pods’’ of students, with the same five to 10 students always working out together.
♦ Locker rooms won’t be used. ♦There must be a minimum distance of six feet between each individual at all times.
Phase 2
♦ Temperature check.
♦ No gatherings of more than 10 people at a time inside. Up to 50 individuals may gather for workouts outside.
♦ Locker rooms may be used if there is a minimum distance of six feet between each individual at all times.
♦ Workouts will be conducted in ‘‘pods’’ of students, with the same five to 10 students always working out together.
Phase 3
♦ Gatherings of up to 50 individuals will be allowed indoors and outdoors.
♦ Students and coaches should maintain a minimum distance of three feet when not directly participating in practice or games.
The NFHS breaks sports down into three categories: higher risk, moderate risk and lower risk.
Higher risk: Wrestling, football, boys lacrosse, competitive cheerleading and dance.
Moderate risk: Basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, water polo, gymnastics, field hockey, tennis, relay swimming, some track events and girls lacrosse.
Lower risk: Individual running events, individual swimming, golf, sideline cheerleading, cross-country running.
The NFHS also outlines three tiers of who should be allowed at events. Only Tier 1 and Tier 2 will be allowed to attend events until state/local health departments lift restrictions on mass gatherings.
Tier 1 (essential): Athletes, coaches, officials, event staff, medical staff and security.
Tier 2 (preferred): Media. Tier 3 (non-essential): Spectators and vendors.
In an interview Tuesday with ESPN Radio (1000-AM), former Bull Horace Grant took issue with some of Michael Jordan’s statements in the ESPN documentary ‘‘The Last Dance,’’ which ended Sunday.
He particularly took issue with Jordan’s claim that he leaked information for Sam Smith’s book ‘‘The Jordan Rules.’’
“Lie, lie, lie . . . . If MJ had a grudge with me, let’s settle this like men,” Grant said during the interview. “Let’s talk about it. Or we can settle it another way. But yet and still, he goes out and puts this lie out that I was the source behind [the book] . . . . It’s only a grudge, man. I’m telling you, it was only a grudge. And I think he proved that during this so-called documentary. If you say something about him, he’s going to cut you off, he’s going to try to destroy your character.”
Grant, a 17-year NBA player, including his first seven (1987-94) with the Bulls, even called Jordan a ‘‘snitch.’’
‘‘He said that I was the snitch, but yet and still, after 35 years he brings up his rookie
year, going into one of his teammates’ rooms and seeing coke and weed and women. My point is: Why the hell did he want to bring that up? What’s that got to do with anything? I mean, if you want to call somebody a snitch, that’s a damn snitch right there.”
Grant also said the documentary didn’t always tell the whole story.
“I would say [it was] entertaining, but we know, who was there as teammates, that about 90% of it — I don’t know if I can say it on air, but B.S. in terms of the realness of it.”