How will COVID-19 impact the local sports scene?

(Above) Sporting events will look a bit different this year, as schools grapple with new rules being considered due to the current pandemic.  -Reporter file photo

by Marianne Gasaway

The impact of COVID-19 on the local sports scene was a topic of significant discussion by the Clear Lake School Board Tuesday, Aug. 11.

First, the Board voted unanimously (with Board member Tony Brownlee absent) to allow students who have chosen the virtual option for their learning, to participate in extra curricular activities.

Superintendent Doug Gee told Board members he initially was against the idea, however his opinion changed after discussing the issue with the district’s attorney, as well as those from School Administrators of Iowa. He found differing opinions about whether districts could be legally challenged if they did not allow students to participate in extra-curriculars.

“Could we be challenged? Yes.  Would we win?  I don’t know.  In this year of the pandemic, I would recommend they play,” said Gee.

Board member Mike Moeller agreed, saying “This is an a-typical year, why get into arguments with parents about withholding kids from athletic competition? Parents will have to make a decision about what they feel comfortable with.”

Spectators on the sidelines of Clear Lake activities will be strongly encouraged to wear masks, but not required.

Activities Director Dale Ludwig told the Board that schools in the North Central Conference are split in not only whether students learning virtually should be allowed in extra-curricular activities, but whether masks are required on school grounds or at events.  Algona, for example, will not be requiring students to wear masks in class, or at school events.  Likewise, spectators are not required to wear masks.  Iowa Falls-Alden will require masks at indoor events and Hampton-Dumont will require at all games.

The Clear Lake School Board has already voted to require students and staff to wear masks during the school day when social distancing is not possible.

“We have to send a message that says we are strongly going to encourage people to comply with what we’ve requested just for the sake of people’s health and being respectful of other people because we are not going to be able to social distance at a football game, or a volleyball match or even cross country, for that matter,” said Ludwig.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association recommend schools implement protocol for spectators, including encouraging social distancing.  The organizations left it to school districts to set their own mask requirements.

Athletic directors in the NCC initially voted to require masks at indoor sports events, however superintendents later voted to have school boards make the decision for their districts.

Ludwig stressed to the board that if it required masks, enforcement would be  crucial.

“In my opinion, all you can do is ask them and post signage and make people aware.  If we ask them (fans) to wear masks and make them aware, I think most will. If we require it, we have to deal with it,” said Ludwig. “I think we do the best we can and social distance when possible.”

Ludwig added that the district will continue to investigate ideas to promote safety.  Board member Mike Moeller suggested partitioning off part of the gym bleachers for “mask only” fans might be one option for those concerned with sitting in proximity to someone who might not be wearing a mask.

“The bottom line is that if we screw this up as adults, the kids aren’t going to get to play,” said Ludwig.