IHSA clears the way for return of high-risk sports
Areas in phase four can hold games in conference, region
The Friday night lights have the chance to shine again.
The Illinois High School Association announced Friday that high-risk sports in areas that have improved from Tier 1 to phase four can conduct games within their conference and regions.
Additionally, according to parameters established by the Illinois Department of Public Health, moderaterisk sports competing outdoors in phase four also received expanded scheduling opportunities, including tournaments and out-ofstate games.
Basketball, football and wrestling are categorized as high-risk sports.
Only three areas in Illinois — Region 3 (Southwest), Region 5 (Southern) and Region 6 (East Central) — are in phase four.
Will and Kankakee counties are in Tier 1, while DuPage, Lake and
McHenry, Suburban Cook and Chicago are all Tier 2.
Still, there’s genuine excitement by football, basketball and volleyball coaches that it’s not a matter of “if ” a season will happen but “when.”
“Let’s go,” Brother Rice football coach Brian Badke said. “I’m so excited for these kids, especially the seniors. It’s looking more and more like they’re going to have a chance to wear the jersey again.”
The IHSA will set new season dates after Wednesday’s board meeting.
“The most significant update involves high-risk sports in regions that have improved from Tier 1 to phase four,” IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said of Friday’s announcement.
The IHSA also announced all low-risk winter sports must conduct practices seven days before their first game.
For the most part, attendance in gyms will be sparse, or in most cases, empty of spectators.
In phase four regions, a maximum of 50 spectators will be allowed. In Tier 1 regions, a maximum of 25 spectators will be allowed. In Tier 2, no spectators are allowed.
Basketball teams must conduct 12 days of practice prior to their first game. Fall, spring and summer sports can begin contact days Monday based on the allowances of their region and approval by the local school district.
It also was announced masks must be worn in practice and competition, social distancing should be adhered to for bench players and game personnel, and schools must follow mitigations and guidelines established by the IHSA.
However, those are small prices to pay to get back on the field.
“Bring it on,” Chicago Christian boys basketball coach Kevin Pittman said. “I’m ready. Our kids are ready and want to play. Let’s just hope we keep getting good news.”
Homewood-Flossmoor football coach Craig Buzea has empathized with kids who have had to deal with life changes during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a win for all
athletes in Illinois,” he said. “I just want kids, especially seniors, to experience some sort of season. I want these seniors to get some game film that will help get them into college.”
While excited by the news, Richards athletic director Brian Wujcik realizes there’s still a lot up in the air.
“There’s a whole bunch to figure out in regards to scheduling and the availability of officials,” Wujcik said. “Depending on which sports are playing when, there’s going to be potential
conflicts with facilities to use.
“Am I happy we’re getting closer to playing games? Yes. But I really don’t have a lot of answers for my coaches.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned the state’s ability to restart sports could be short-lived if the current COVID-19 trends reverse and case levels begin to rise again.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the state’s top public health official, pointed to the protests of youth sports stoppages and campaigns among parents
and student-athletes to get sports restarted.
“I hear and I see and I feel the passion around youth sports,” Ezike said. “I take very seriously the value that recreational outlets offer the physical and the mental health of our children. I also take very seriously the need to protect them, as do their parents and their coaches and the broader communities.”