By Nicholas Palazzo
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Gov. Larry Hogan and Maryland State Superintendent Karen B. Salmon announced Thursday that fall sports could return to high schools across the state at the discretion of school officials.
Starting Thursday, all school systems are allowed to proceed with conditioning and training within their district’s COVID-19 guidelines. Official sports practices can begin Oct. 7 with the season starting on Oct. 27.
“High school sports and competition are deeply rooted in the fabric of our schools and communities,” said Salmon, who met with the State Board of Education, the 24 local school system superintendents, the executive director of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), parents, and other stakeholders before making the decision to resume fall sports.
“The steps taken today are directly related to the needs of our students to be active and engaged for their physical, social and mental well-being,” she added.
Salmon and Hogan stressed that not every school is required to play or even practice on these new dates. Each system is allowed to deny this current plan and opt for their fall sports to resume in February, as originally discussed.
The fall sports include cross country, field hockey, football, golf, soccer and volleyball. The last play date is Dec. 12.
For winter sports like basketball, swimming and diving, indoor track and wrestling, the first practice would begin Dec. 14 with a Jan. 4 competition date set. The last play date would be Feb. 27.
“Getting our kids back on the playing field and allowing youth sports to resume this fall is critical for the social and mental well-being of our students,” Hogan added. “Now that all 24 jurisdictions have submitted plans to resume in-person instruction, allowing fall sports to begin next month marks another important step on our road to recovery.”
The announcement comes two days after the Maryland State Board of Education got an earful of comments about the lack of fall sports at its official meeting. At that time, Maryland was one of five states that had not allowed fall sports to begin.
Parents – especially those of incoming junior and senior athletes who were losing their chance to play football, soccer and organized sports – expressed their frustrations.
“They are being robbed of representing their schools and communities playing the games they love,” said Kim House, explaining that many of the students are working for the chance of a college scholarship.
House added, “College coaches rely on game film to recruit this year.”
Other parents and school officials complained that delaying sports could affect the mental health of students. Some said that a lack of motivation could factor in as many students find their inspiration for school through these games.
A lack of sleep and possible depression also were mentioned as some parents stressed their children could not shake the idea of losing these opportunities. They added that extracurricular activities such as the fall sports help build relationships, character and growth as a human being.
“Kids need something other than a lonely computer screen to look forward to,” said Anthony Masters, another concerned parent. “Our kids go shopping, bowling, movies, amusement parks and even pay to play in club sports. There is no reason they can’t be playing now.”