Shelby athletic competitions get OK to resume

Daily Globe Sports Editor

Competition for high school and middle school athletics in the Shelby City School resumed Thursday after a plan was developed in conjunction with the Shelby Health Department.

Athletics at Shelby were paused back on Thursday, Dec. 3, when Richland County was designated a Level 4 (purple) county during the COVID-19 pandemic that is gripping the nation.

Since that time school administrators worked with the city’s own health department to formulate a plan to bring back athletics safely.

“The district has had daily discussions with the Shelby Health Department to develop a plan that would allow a safe return of activities,” said high school principal John Gies.

After the decision was made to suspend activities, there was angst in the community as other school districts in the county continued to practice and compete because they fell under the jurisdiction of the Richland County Health Department.

The decision to put things on hold also monopolized Monday’s Shelby City Schools Board of Education meeting as 20 letters from basketball coaches, players and parents were read questioning a number of things about the decision.

“While we understand that this is an emotional decision, the district will always keep the safety and well-being of our students in the forefront,” emphasized Gies.

After athletics were suspended two weeks ago, the Shelby Health Department approved a plan last Thursday that was detailed as Phase 1 to allow practices with modifications, but no contests would be permitted. That phase also restricted team sizes and reintroduced small groups/pods similar to last summer when activities resumed.

Phase 2 began Thursday and now permits competition, but there will not be any spectators permitted at any home event — high school or middle school.

As for away games, Gies noted “we are subject to the attendance policy of the host school, so it is possible that spectators will be permitted at away contests.”

The Mid Ohio Athletic Conference, which Shelby is a member of, has set a policy of allowing only two tickets per player for visiting teams. These tickets can only be used by a parent and no grandparents or siblings will be permitted to attend.

Additional phases will be employed when improved health conditions from the pandemic permit them.

“We will continued to work with the Shelby Health Department to monitor the numbers in Shelby and will make adjustments to this plan as necessary,” said Gies.