Coaches eager to begin season
Cautious optimism prevails as fall season set to kick off
At this time last year, Bethlehem girls’ soccer coach Tom Rogan and his squad, along with Ballston Spa, faced a fall without games as the rest of the Suburban Council moved ahead with its schedule. Other sports such as football and girls’ volleyball were put on hold and other leagues delayed the start of their fall offerings in response to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. This fall, things are vastly different.
There remains an abundance of caution that included the Albany and Bethlehem school districts earlier this week requiring its athletes to be vaccinated for COVID -19 before playing. Fall practice begins Monday. The New York State Department of Health is no longer overseeing how, or if, high school sports will be conducted. That responsibility has been left to individual school districts in how they plan to proceed.
Rogan, who led Bethlehem to Section II Class AA titles in 2018 and 2019, guided his squad during a 2020 Fall Season II campaign contested in March and April against opponents from the Foothills Council. Naturally, the veteran mentor is eager to return to a normal fall format starting Monday.
“This is a way better feeling this year,” Rogan said. “This time of year, there is so much anticipation and excitement. Last year was so difficult. We are just so excited to get going on Monday.”
In terms of being vaccinated, Rogan said, “Every one of our kids is vaccinated already, at least our returning kids. Any new kids, we will see.”
The state DOH divested its control overseeing COVID -19 protocols for high school athletics during the winter, instead leaving county health officials to determine what stipulations would be required in order to compete. Right now, school districts around the Capital Region are gearing up to begin the 2021-22 scholastic sports year Monday with fall practices.
“It is great to start in August, having teams working out doing their offseason work,” Schalmont athletic director Matt Ronca said. “Having approval for all sports in the state is great. Last year at this time, we
did not have approval for high-risk sports throughout the state. We are way ahead of where we were last year. It feels a little more normal. I’m excited that we are starting Monday. I know the athletes and coaches are too.”
As upbeat as Ronca and many others in his position are, he realizes the landscape can be altered in an instant.
“I have spoken to the coaches. Things could change fast,” Ronca said. “Things did during the winter and spring. Be flexible like you were last year. They were great and made it happen for kids.”
Guilderland football coach Dan Penna led his Dutchmen to the program’s first sectional title during the Fall Season II season with a thrilling one-point title triumph over Shaker.
“Our district just released (Friday) afternoon that non-vaccinated players have to, by next Friday, Aug. 27, have a waiver signed that they agree to random testing or are in the process of getting vaccinated,” Penna said. “Vaccinated players are good to go.
“We are happy to get back on a regular schedule. Our senior group is really excited and they have energized
our staff. We are really pumped up . ... You can’t underestimate how much coaches love routines. I am knocking on wood right now, but I am looking forward to getting started Monday.”
“It will be interesting to see how all
this transpires over the course of time,” Rogan said.