Lyman sneaks in practice before taking two-week leave.
By the time the school day ended on Friday, 15 of the 16 high schools in New London County had closed their doors in response to advice from national, state and local officials who hope to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the region.
The only school to remain open — at least over the weekend — was Lyman Memorial in Lebanon.
That meant it was business as usual Saturday morning for baseball coach Marty Gomez, who began his 33rd season by welcoming 12 players, all pitchers and catchers per CIAC rules, for the start of conditioning.
But it was hardly a normal start to the 2020 season for the Bulldogs ... and it turned out to be the last official workout for the foreseeable future.
Athletic director Scott Elliott, who attended the practice, said the school was scheduled to be open on Monday, but faculty and students were informed around 6:45 p.m. Saturday that Lyman would join the other New London County schools and shut down for two weeks starting Monday.
The athletic department took all the necessary precautions, sanitizing equipment and allowing the players to frequently wash their hands, before Gomez and his staff simply turned the practice into a teaching moment, according to Elliott.
Gomez couldn't be reached for comment, but Elliott said, “we brought them in for routine work and gave them a program they can work on if there is a shutdown. If, and I mean ‘if' with a capital IF, we get back into the building and there is a spring season, it's not so much of having a leg up, but at least the kids are prepared.
“This also gives them some incentive to go out and work out on their own should there be a shutdown. We have a number of younger kids, so today was more of an opportunity to get to know the coaches, have a conversation and get some conditioning in ... hopefully it works out for us.”
Whether the CIAC even has a spring season is still to be determined. With most of Connecticut's school systems closed for at least two weeks, the start of the spring season (Saturday, April 4) has been delayed indefinitely.
Conference commissioners and presidents will meet with CIAC executive director Glenn Lungarini Wednesday morning in Cheshire. The Eastern Connecticut Conference will be represented by commissioner Gary Makowicki and ECC chairman Bryan Morrone, the athletic director at Stonington.
Morrone said Saturday he took an informal poll of ECC athletic directors in order to bring some concrete suggestions to the CIAC meeting.
“Everyone wants some sort of season as long as it's safe, even if it's just the month of May with some adjustment to the tournaments or having the tournament as is,” Morrone said. “After a month like we've had, I think all we're looking for is normalcy.
“My fear, and this is me personally, is why shut (the spring season) down right now. Let's gather more information and wait and see. Come the end of April if (the CIAC) decides it's not possible, at least we waited and gave it a shot. At this point, we're all feeling bad, but mostly for the seniors . ... to have your high school career end without even getting a chance would be a shame.”