Local Athletic Directors Discuss Virus Impact

Spring is traditionally the busiest time of the school year for high school athletics.

From baseball to tennis to track to soccer to golf, local student-athletes in Jasper County have busy with their practice and game schedules. That activity, however, came to a halt in recent weeks as the Covid 19 virus has disrupted not only high school athletics but also many aspects of daily life from school to work to church.

The local athletic fields are currently quiet as students in the Jasper County School System as well as at Piedmont Academy can only hope athletics will start again during the 2019-2020 school year.

When, and if, spring sports begin again depends on whether students are able to return to the classroom and if their respective governing associations give the green light.

“There have been a lot of scenarios thrown around,” said Jasper County High School athletic director Matt Martin. “We have to wait on the GHSA.”

For Piedmont Academy it is a similar story as school officials await word from the GISA.

“If people will practice social distancing like they have been urged to, I think there is a possibility that we could still have spring sports,” said Piedmont Academy athletic director Mary Catherine Sikes. “They would be different than we are used to, but I hope and pray that we can come together as a nation to flatten the curve and get back to our normal routines.”

The stoppage of play for high school athletics has been especially difficult for seniors. At the present these student-athletes do not know if they will be able to compete again at the high school level.

“I really hate this for our seniors,” Martin said. “For most of them high school means the end of their athletic careers. You hate to see them not be able to play the majority of their senior seasons in their chosen sport. Certainly we have to be safe and cautious but our seniors are going through something no other class has had to deal with.”

With the local schools closed for classroom instruction it also means no athletic practices for student-athletes. Rules state if classes are canceled, for whatever reason, then no extra-curricular activities are allowed, including practices.

Each passing day and week means less time for the 2020 spring sports calendar, even if it does eventually start again.

“My message to my seniors is to appreciate everything you’re given,” Sikes said. “We spend our days making plans and assuming everything will turn out accordingly, but we are not in control. So, we have to appreciate what we have in the moment and learn to accept when things change. Seniors across the globe (both high school and college) are experiencing a lot of hurt and disappointment, but they are learning that sometimes the health and safety of others is more important. That is a life lesson that they are realizing very young age, but it will greatly benefit them in the future.”

Sikes experiences high school sports both as athletic director and athletic trainer for her student-athletes.

“I get to know my athletes in a more personal way,” she said. “I am with them after surgeries and through major injuries. I am there every time they need me. I have seen the mountains some of my senior athletes have climbed, and I want them to know that their hard work was not in vain. I need them to continue working hard now in hopes that they get to play again this year, and I need them to take that spirit of overcoming obstacles into their futures, whatever that may hold. As much as my heart aches for them right now, I will always be so incredibly proud of this group and how much they have accomplished in their high school careers.”

Both athletic directors said their coaches have given personal training instructions for their athletes during this time of inactivity.

“You are still concerned about conditioning,” Martin said. “With inaction comes the possibility of injury. We want our athletes to keep themselves in shape during this time.”

The situation is similar for Piedmont Academy athletes.

“I have instructed coaches to send at home training and workouts our athletes can do, and I also have a huge database that I can pull from if they need more,” Sikes said. “You can also find videos on YouTube of at-home weightlifting ideas with objects found around the house. It is so important for everyone (not just athletes) to work out or simply move around during this time. Activity is important for us not only physically but also mentally. “

While it takes an inner dedication to continue working, Sikes said those who are committed will find a way.

From an athletic department standpoint, athletes who love the grind and live for their sport won’t let this set them back, and they will be vastly rewarded for their efforts when they return to play,” she said. “Though I encourage them to not go out to a public gym for safety reasons, they can still do a lot from home, whether that’s body weight exercises or bench pressing their little siblings. True athletes can always find a way.”

Both athletic directors said this has been a learning experience for everyone, from administrators to coaches to students.

“I think we will learn the value of placing others before ourselves in times of crisis,” Sikes said. “I think as a country, we will learn how to plan for the uncertain future. I hope, individually, that we learn to appreciate everything we have. We are so blessed with the lives we hold, so when all of this ends (and it will end), I hope we learn the value of shaking a colleagues’ hand, hugging a loved one’s neck, or high- fiving the opposing team after a game.

I hope it makes my athletes appreciate those long practices where they can’t seem to get anything right, but they just keep pushing. I hope it makes my coaches appreciate every athlete at their best and at their worst, simply because they are able to be there. I hope it teaches athletics as a whole more apathy, more sportsmanship, more respect, and more understanding of the phrase ‘for the love of the game.’”

Martin said it was not an easy decision to cancel school during this time. Initially both school systems were set to stay open but then decided to close. Governor Brian Kemp issued all public schools be closed for a certain amount of time before even considering going back to class.

Lost revenue is a big issue local athletic programs will have to contend with and somehow try to offset..

“In small school systems like ours gate revenue runs the athletic department,” Martin said. “We are in a situation now where we don’t have revenue coming in.”

Certain food is purchased ahead of time for concession sales. Martin said the JCHS soccer program is donating the food it planned to sell in the concession stand to the high school cafeteria and the local food bank.

Sikes said the current health situation goes behind high school athletics.

“My colleague Michael Wilson made a great point the other night on this topic, so I will give him the credit, and that is this issue transcends sports,” she said.

“At Piedmont, this time of year is critical for re-enrollment and inquiries about enrollment for the upcoming school year. For a small school like Piedmont, this situation creates uncertainty. Our goal has been to continue the same quality education to our students as a whole; while, striving to interact the best we can to ensure a sense of normalcy for them. Luckily our teachers have gone above and beyond in a short amount of time to make this happen, and I know big things will be happening in our future.”

The recruitment of high school seniors, including those locally, has also been temporarily stopped. Martin said he is continuing to do everything he can to make sure seniors are not forgotten about by colleges.

He mentioned the example of JCHS senior Tyler Wages, who has been a multi-year starter for football and baseball.

“Tyler has the chance to play baseball collegiately,” Martin said. “Now he has only been able to play a handful of baseball games his senior year. It our job to make sure he still gets that chance. For Tyler and our seniors I am sorry this has happened. We are thankful for everything they have done in representing our school system.”

Sikes said she wanted to offer thanks to those who do have to continue working during this health crisis.

“From the doctors, nurses and health care providers, the retail workers and the teachers, we thank you for your sacrifice. We may never be able to repay you for everything you are doing right now, but without you, we would not have a future to fight for,” she said.

Meanwhile coaches and athletes are at home waiting and hoping to get back to a normal routine.

“I’ve certainly never experienced anything like this,” said Piedmont Academy baseball coach Matt Britt. “Hopefully we never will again.”