HS sports’ return must be if it’s right thing to do

‘#IWantASeason’ laudable, but needs proper target

Vitriol about how it’s reached aside, there is a certainty to head-to-head competition.

There is a winner and a loser.

As we trudge through a year unlike any in our lifetimes, as a high school sports community we are united in wanting to see the novel coronavirus pandemic on the losing end as swiftly and decisively as possible.

We all want high school sports back.

We all want normal back. In pursuit of that goal, the Ohio High School Athletic Association and government officials in Ohio, including Gov. Mike DeWine, have encouraged a community-driven “#IWantASeason” social-media initiative.

It has been emphasized by DeWine the next few weeks will determine if a fall season has a chance to transpire.

The thought of there not being a fall season, just like a canceled spring, is as soothing as a root canal.

But as action is taken and routines develop in waging battle against the pandemic, we should also be mindful of what the primary reason for returning to competition should be.

In the context of high school sports, although it’s understandable human nature, it has been concerning to see where motivations lean in some circles.

As vital as these reasons are, college scholarships, athletic department budgets, the need for normalcy, an improved daily experience for young people — and, yes, even the ability to earn a living — cannot be the primary reason high school sports return this fall.

Those reasons all mean a great deal. They should all have a place high on the priority list.

But the primary reason high school sports return in the fall has to be because it’s the right thing to do.

Ramming through a season just to do it is obviously not the answer.

The only way it is the right thing to do is if our public-health reality is measurably and indisputably safer and more manageable than it is right now.

When I see the “#IWantASeason” initiative in practice across Ohio on Twitter, in my heart I know it’s well meaning.

Schools, coaches, student-athletes, families, communities — they want to put into place protocols necessary to proceed.

The issue is, of course, tweeting a picture and that getting several retweets and likes ultimately isn’t the point.

The point is collective action toward a resolution.

And this isn’t even delving into testing and whether placing that type of onus on the community with a tedious line between “success” and “failure” is appropriate.

Showing a group of student-athletes wearing masks, socially distanced and washing hands is great.

But it must be in unison on and off social media — and it has to lead somewhere.

Several counties in Ohio are under mandatory mask orders in public places. As of July 13, there were 3.4 million recorded coronavirus cases in the United States, including, tragically, more than 135,000 deaths. In addition, 33 states had an increase in cases last week over the week prior.

Public health should not be part of philosophical gymnastics. Caring about others’ well-being shouldn’t be a debate.

If you’re concerned about scholarships — or the presence of college programs with the scary rounds of cuts recently.

If you’re concerned about the financial hit if Week 1 of football doesn’t kick off on Friday night as scheduled in August.

If you’re concerned about long-term detrimental impact the cancellation of sports seasons has on a generation of student-athletes.

If you’re concerned about people unable to earn a livelihood because avenues of competition are eerily quiet.

Making progress isn’t going to happen reaching the agreeable.

It has to be done through making the case to the unconvinced this crisis can be more smoothly navigated as a united front.

And even then, amid such unknown, that only renders a better chance.

Make a dent by extolling virtue of hand sanitizer or soap and a sink to those not as diligent as perhaps they should be.

Keep hammering away by emphasizing staying apart to those still too close, while remaining connected.

And strike with all your might by respectfully swaying the cynical into wearing a mask and how, in this moment, it’s in their best interest.

In short, make a targeted appeal to those who need to hear the message.

Part of the challenge in achieving middle ground is clutching extremes.

Berating, contorting — none of that is going to do anyone any good.

We need to understand the reality with which we’re presented and take reasonable steps forward.

It’s not as simple as snapping your fingers and operating as if it’s 2019.

If — if — there is a fall season, we won’t have full football stadiums.

We won’t have one pack of cross country runners at a starting line or a sea of humanity packed into a gym for a volleyball tournament.

We won’t have a group huddled around the clubhouse waiting for golf scores to arrive.

We won’t have anyone beyond the touchlines in soccer who aren’t masked up.

You are entitled to question how far the proverbial line should go amid the pandemic.

In order for there to be a “winner” in this predicament, though, we have to consider adapting.

The sound of a band or a student section on a Friday night can’t return soon enough.

Neither can the rush from a personal best on a tough course in cross country or golf.

Or match point for a volleyball or tennis player or a match-winning goal in soccer.

The Ohio high school sports community should be treated with respect as a difference maker and influencer — and hopefully never as a pawn.

Stating “#IWantASeason” is all well and good, but where does it lead?

What season that will actually be is dependent on tangible progress in making all parties involved remember we’re on the same side in this battle.

With that step comes progress, and with that progress comes improved reality that makes restarting high school sports the right thing to do.

We all aspire to get there soon.

Because once we are united, just like the headto-head competition we savor, there will eventually be a winner — and much to our benefit here, there will eventually be a loser, too.

OHIO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION