Spring sports cancelled

Following Friday's recommendations to keep Iowa schools closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year due to the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), all spring activities of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association are canceled.

The cancellation of all four boys and girls sports – golf, soccer, tennis, track and field – was made by the two associations in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Education and state officials. The decision was also approved by the IGHSAU and IHSAA boards.

'We are completely heartbroken,” Washington girls track coach Stefanie Haworth said. 'Just hearing it (Friday) is really hard. We thought it was probably coming, but you still hold out hope. It feels like a bad dream right now. It's been a tough day for a lot of us.Since we are not allowed to meet with the team, we have addressed them as a group and I did contact all the seniors individually.”

Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Education, and the Iowa Department of Public Health had previously suspended spring activities twice, once through April 12, then through April 30. Governor Reynolds announced the extended closure of in-person schooling and school activities with Department of Education executive director Dr. Ann Lebo at a news conference Friday.

This cancellation is effective for all spring practices, competitions, and postseason events.

'While we are disappointed that student-athletes will not have the opportunity to compete this spring, we remain committed to our primary goal of keeping students, coaches, officials and communities safe,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said on the association's website. 'This cancellation comes out of an abundance of caution for the well-being of all. Conducting our spring season would involve moving groups of people in and out of various communities for competition. At this time, we believe that is a risk we should not take.”

Washington High School boys soccer coach Sally Hart agreed with that sentiment.

'While this is a tough situation, staying healthy and safe is paramount,” she said while also expressing disappointment. 'I was really looking forward to the season and seeing this team compete. My heart hurts for our seniors. It was a pleasure to coach them the last three years. Hopefully, there are some opportunities for summer soccer they can take advantage of.”

Hope remains for the juniors, sophomores, freshmen and incoming eighth-graders.

'I hope the rest of our team takes part in fall and winter sports next school year, and come next spring they're ready to compete,” Hart said. 'As always, let's go Demons!”

The spread of COVID-19 has caused an unsatisfying and unfortunate end to the 2019-20 school year as students across Iowa and the United States have faced cancellations and suspensions of school and athletic competition.

The IGHSAU and IHSAA would like to thank all spring sports participants, coaches, administrators, officials, and spectators for their passion, patience, and effort during this unprecedented time.

'We understand the important role that athletics and activities play in the lives of our students, schools and communities,” IGHSAU executive director Jean Berger said. 'But during this time of uncertainty, we must support the health and safety recommendations of our state and national leaders. This decision is especially heartbreaking for our senior competitors, and we thank them for all they have done to represent their schools throughout their careers.”

Summer sports (baseball, softball) are suspended pending an assessment made in collaboration with state officials before June. Practice, competition, and postseason dates will be announced when they become available.

The state softball tournament remains scheduled for July 20-24 at the Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge. State baseball is July 24-Aug. 1 at Principal Park in Des Moines.

'That's so far down the line, we're just keeping it on hold right now,” Keating said. 'We don't know where we'll be with this on June 1.”

Berger estimated the Union will lose between $175,000 and $200,000 in revenue due to the absence of spring sports. Most of that comes from the state track and field meet.

Keating said the IHSAA stands to lose about $90,000 in revenue. The IHSAA also lost revenue at state basketball when the final day (March 13) was played in front of a nearly empty Wells Fargo Arena due to the pandemic.

'What we lose in money is nothing compared to what the kids lose in memories,” Keating said.

Both organizations will continue to follow guidelines from health and government officials in determining when it is safe to resume school activities and mass gatherings.

In the 2018-19 school year, the four spring sports accounted for over 45,000 participants among Iowa high school boys and girls. Track and field was the second-most popular sport by participation for both the IHSAA (12,012 boys) and the IGHSAU (9,908 girls).