What if there are no sports this fall, winter, or spring? Every state, league, and organization is currently trying to figure out what to do. It’s safe to say everybody wants sports back to normal, but with safety during the pandemic being a continued concern, it has led to a lot of uncertainty.
There has been a lot of buzz at the national level recently regarding college sports and what, if canceled, it could mean to student athlete eligibility. Will they be given an extra year or not? Should they be given an extra year? I’m not trying to sound rude, but I’m more concerned about our high school student athletes, because they most certainly will NOT be getting an extra year – no matter what…
For starters high school athletes are kids and the memories they make while participating in a sport or activity is something they’ll take with them for the rest of their lives. We saw it this past spring with the cancellation of all remaining sports and activities in South Dakota at the high school level. When everything got shut down, it wasn’t just games and events being stopped, oh no, it was much more than that. Late night pizza parties, bus trips, and even just spending time with fellow teammates and classmates – all of that was gone.
For many high school athletes, and in South Dakota it’s no different, this is the highest level of competition that a good chunk of these kids will participate in. That’s not me being negative, it’s just the reality that only a small percentage of overall high school athletes go on to compete at the collegiate level. This means for most seniors; the cancellation of a sports season would mean the end of the road for competitive/organized athletics.
For the few kids who do have the aspiration to continue on in college, a lost season can obviously hurt in that instance. Yes, a good chunk of kids will receive a scholarship prior to their senior season, but what about those kids who are on the brink? Each game is an opportunity to showcase your skill-set.
I certainly don’t envy any school administrators, district officials, or others who are challenged to make some of these tough decisions. High school sports are such a huge part of what South Dakota is. They’re not just games with wins or losses, they’re social engagements and a way of life for many rural communities. And for our high school student athletes, these are the best days of their life, which is why they are the ones who my heart truly goes out to during times like these.
