NCCSA to begin play Sept. 8
SHELDON VICK | SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Posted Monday, August 10, 2020 9:09 pm
By Jimmy Lewis jlewis@wilsontimes.com | 265-7807 | Twitter: @JimmyLewisWT
The North Carolina Christian School Association now has a target date for its return to fall sports amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
In releasing a statement Monday afternoon, the NCCSA plans to return to the fields and courts of play in a competitive setting on Sept. 8. Comparatively, the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association will also return to play on Sept. 8 in what are considered “low-risk” sports, including cross-country, girls tennis and girls golf.
Monday’s NCCSA release did not contain a risk distinction, ostensibly opening the door for all fall sports — including soccer, volleyball and cross-country, to return on Sept. 8.
“We felt pretty strongly, as far as the NCCSA was concerned, that we could safely begin that week after Labor Day,” Wilson Christian athletic director and NCCSA Athletic Commissioner Brian Trull said in a telephone interview Monday afternoon. “It gives our schools a chance to get back in session, and make sure everything is going well, having practices and making sure we’re able to do that safely before we start to play.”
Gov. Roy Cooper kept North Carolina in Phase 2 of the state’s re-opening plan Aug. 5, with the intent of maintaining that status for at least five weeks through Sept. 11.
But even if Cooper does not authorize a move to Phase 3 in September, the NCCSA plans to go ahead with the start of fall competition. Rather, it will just enforce the mass gathering limits associated with Phase 2.
“We intentionally did not tie our return to play to the governor’s phases,” Trull said. “We still feel like we could play games in Phase 2, but we would not be able to have fans because of the gathering limit. So, I think what you will see when we start back initially, the likelihood of us having spectators is probably slim to none, especially inside. Outside, there’s an allowance for 25 spectators along with the players. But I think probably the way we’ll start is without spectators, and then hopefully, the governor will move us to Phase 3 on the 11th and we can revisit allowing spectators, and how many.”
In games involving NCCSA conference opponents and at state tournament events, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services guidelines will be followed.
Even if Cooper permits a progression to Phase 3, the NCCSA may still enforce gathering limits for a period of time. Among the measures being considered for conference contests are no fans for a few weeks, only home fans admitted, parents only and masks for everyone except active coaches and players.
State tournament competition may also be delayed by a week to allow teams to fit in make-up contests.
“We have considered gathering limits even if we go to Phase 3,” Trull said. “We just don’t know what those are going to be yet. We’re still in the process of working through some sports-specific guidelines for fall sports, meaning soccer, cross-country and volleyball and what that might look like. And when we do that, we’re probably going to address the gathering limits as well, what that might look like and how that might progress as the season goes on. We kind of feel like if we can start playing safely and keep the athletes safe to start with, then as we do that, we may introduce spectators after that. We don’t know in what form or fashion, because I really don’t know what the governor’s gathering limits are going to be in his Phase 3. We have to wait and see what that is, too.”
Trull said that feedback has been received from almost every NCCSA school, and “the majority of them that we have heard from” will begin with in-person classroom instruction in the month of August. The consensus around athletic directors and administrators at NCCSA member schools is that if in-person learning is taking place, every effort should be made to offer the “full product,” including athletics.
News also reached the Lady Chargers volleyball team Monday, immediately lifting their spirits.
“The announcement that went out today, most of our schools were excited to hear that we had a date that looked like we were going to be able to start on,” Trull said. “That was the biggest thing. Not just the athletes, but the AD’s, the coaches, the parents, they all want that hope to see something that in the future that says ‘hey, we’re going to be able to start on this date.’
During the course of the pandemic, Trull admitted that his level of optimism is subject to change “by the day.”
But barring a return to Phase 1 restrictions, a return to private school sports is seen as imminent.
“I think the general consensus is with our schools and our association, and I have a feeling but I don’t want to speak for the (NCISAA),” Trull cautioned. “But I think they have a similar feeling, is that as long as the governor does not go back to a full lockdown, that we will be able to have sports in some form or fashion.”
SHELDON VICK | SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Posted Monday, August 10, 2020 9:09 pm
By Jimmy Lewis jlewis@wilsontimes.com | 265-7807 | Twitter: @JimmyLewisWT
The North Carolina Christian School Association now has a target date for its return to fall sports amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
In releasing a statement Monday afternoon, the NCCSA plans to return to the fields and courts of play in a competitive setting on Sept. 8. Comparatively, the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association will also return to play on Sept. 8 in what are considered “low-risk” sports, including cross-country, girls tennis and girls golf.
Monday’s NCCSA release did not contain a risk distinction, ostensibly opening the door for all fall sports — including soccer, volleyball and cross-country, to return on Sept. 8.
“We felt pretty strongly, as far as the NCCSA was concerned, that we could safely begin that week after Labor Day,” Wilson Christian athletic director and NCCSA Athletic Commissioner Brian Trull said in a telephone interview Monday afternoon. “It gives our schools a chance to get back in session, and make sure everything is going well, having practices and making sure we’re able to do that safely before we start to play.”
Gov. Roy Cooper kept North Carolina in Phase 2 of the state’s re-opening plan Aug. 5, with the intent of maintaining that status for at least five weeks through Sept. 11.
But even if Cooper does not authorize a move to Phase 3 in September, the NCCSA plans to go ahead with the start of fall competition. Rather, it will just enforce the mass gathering limits associated with Phase 2.
“We intentionally did not tie our return to play to the governor’s phases,” Trull said. “We still feel like we could play games in Phase 2, but we would not be able to have fans because of the gathering limit. So, I think what you will see when we start back initially, the likelihood of us having spectators is probably slim to none, especially inside. Outside, there’s an allowance for 25 spectators along with the players. But I think probably the way we’ll start is without spectators, and then hopefully, the governor will move us to Phase 3 on the 11th and we can revisit allowing spectators, and how many.”
In games involving NCCSA conference opponents and at state tournament events, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services guidelines will be followed.
Even if Cooper permits a progression to Phase 3, the NCCSA may still enforce gathering limits for a period of time. Among the measures being considered for conference contests are no fans for a few weeks, only home fans admitted, parents only and masks for everyone except active coaches and players.
State tournament competition may also be delayed by a week to allow teams to fit in make-up contests.
“We have considered gathering limits even if we go to Phase 3,” Trull said. “We just don’t know what those are going to be yet. We’re still in the process of working through some sports-specific guidelines for fall sports, meaning soccer, cross-country and volleyball and what that might look like. And when we do that, we’re probably going to address the gathering limits as well, what that might look like and how that might progress as the season goes on. We kind of feel like if we can start playing safely and keep the athletes safe to start with, then as we do that, we may introduce spectators after that. We don’t know in what form or fashion, because I really don’t know what the governor’s gathering limits are going to be in his Phase 3. We have to wait and see what that is, too.”
Trull said that feedback has been received from almost every NCCSA school, and “the majority of them that we have heard from” will begin with in-person classroom instruction in the month of August. The consensus around athletic directors and administrators at NCCSA member schools is that if in-person learning is taking place, every effort should be made to offer the “full product,” including athletics.
News also reached the Lady Chargers volleyball team Monday, immediately lifting their spirits.
“The announcement that went out today, most of our schools were excited to hear that we had a date that looked like we were going to be able to start on,” Trull said. “That was the biggest thing. Not just the athletes, but the AD’s, the coaches, the parents, they all want that hope to see something that in the future that says ‘hey, we’re going to be able to start on this date.’
During the course of the pandemic, Trull admitted that his level of optimism is subject to change “by the day.”
But barring a return to Phase 1 restrictions, a return to private school sports is seen as imminent.
“I think the general consensus is with our schools and our association, and I have a feeling but I don’t want to speak for the (NCISAA),” Trull cautioned. “But I think they have a similar feeling, is that as long as the governor does not go back to a full lockdown, that we will be able to have sports in some form or fashion.”
