Lincoln Begins Sports Programs

LINCOLN — Lincoln athletic director Deon Birkes wants to make players and parents aware of the restrictions and requirements the district will have to follow for Return to Sports Phase 1.

Phase 1 began Monday, June 1, at Lincoln following Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s announcement that schools would begin some form of athletic practices and or games within Arkansas.

“Things will look a little different this summer,” Birkes stated in a recent Facebook post, assuring people the district will do everything it can to make sure every practice and facility is safe to both the coaching staff and student-athletes.

Birkes noted each sport has its own limitations and restrictions that the coaches will share with athletes and parents, with the following restrictions in force until at least June 30 or until the governor makes changes.

• Every staff member will be wearing a mask to cover both the nose and mouth the entire time Lincoln kids are present.

• Every student should have a mask and will be required to wear one to and from facilities and while they are not engaged in activity during practice times. No mask equals no practice!

• Student-athletes will be responsible for laundering their mask each day.

• Student-athletes will be asked a series of questions each day prior to entering any facility or practice/workout.

• Student-athletes will be responsible for their own water bottle and its contents and will not be allowed to share.

• Student-athletes will be required to come dressed ready for workout every day and do their own laundry every day.

• All locker rooms will be closed and off limits other than for restrooms when necessary. The lone exception was on the first day they were allowed to retrieve personal belongings out of their lockers that may have been left prior to the shutdown.

• No phones will be allowed inside facilities and will be required to be left in students car or at home. Parents and guardians are asked to please be on time to pick up students at given times for workouts.

• No showers will be available in school facilities.

• Please arrive at appropriate facilities and wait outside, do not congregate, and practice social distancing of at least 6 feet. Leave immediately after practice concludes.

• Student- athletes must provide their own towel and cannot share.

• Student-athletes must have a valid physical on file with school within the past 15 months in order to participate.

• No parents/spectators are allowed to be at practice and must either wait in car or leave the premises.

• No outside athletes or teams will be allowed to use any of Lincoln’s facilities during this time.

• Lincoln’s facilities will have regulations during workouts and cleaning after workouts on a daily basis.

“We, as a staff, are excited to see our kiddos and get them back in shape and grow our relationships with them and our teams,” Birkes stated. “Please be patient with us as these limitations and restrictions make things different but provide a necessary step towards having sports again on our campus and in our state.”

Coaches will be communicating through team reminders and social media channels concerning workout times and locations.

The Arkansas Activities Association, Department of Health and the Governor’s Office will be monitoring the situation and will make any changes to the guidelines as needed.