Athletics remain outlawed in SVVSD through June

Despite the Colorado High School Athletic Association’s move to allow school districts to make their own decision regarding extracurriculars as of June 1, the St. Vrain Valley School District will hold off until July to comply with Boulder County health guidelines.

SVVSD director of athletics Chase McBride will still remain flexible considering the volatility of the situation.

“Things change every day and it’s almost impossible to make a plan because as soon as we start working on it, the very next day there’s something new,” McBride said.

To navigate the uncertainty, CHSAA has assembled a Resocialization Task Force to determine how to safely re-integrate sports and other activities. Members include the sports medicine committee, district personnel, coaches, athletic directors and others to plan a return to athletics in the fall.

“The task force is going to look at opportunities on how we can best bring kids back to sports and safely doing that, and also looking at the variety of options we might be presented with,” Niwot High School Athletic Director Joe Brown said.

According to Brown, CHSAA will be following the National Federation of State High School Association’s guidelines to reintegration of athletics. Concrete plans are still being discussed, but Brown expects considerable changes.

“Ultimately when August rolls around and we’re back into getting into the CHSAA sports season, that’s the guidance we as athletic directors and coaches will have to follow,” Brown said. “It’s going to be a big impact.”

Brown and McBride both agree that the health and safety of students will be the top priority when a plan does arise.

“I’d like to see some normalcy but I understand that our first and foremost concern must be the safety of our students and families,” McBride said. “I understand that it might not look normal in any kind of circumstance. Anything we can do to get students back involved, I’m all for.”

Regardless, this spring has been full of waiting and hypotheticals. Brown is optimistic for a somewhat normal July where his student-athletes can fully prepare for the fall season.

“We’re still hopeful because if we’re able to meet in July, that means that everything is much better,” Brown said. “Our hearts continue to go out to our kids and we just hope that the opportunity arises because it means things are in a lot better spot.”

A complete high school experience needs its extracurriculars and McBride sees the value in getting back to normal as soon as possible.

“We value our extracurriculars and our cocurriculares and we’re trying to do everything we can to make sure we safely integrate music, performing arts and athletics as soon as possible under the safety guidelines set forth by our local health organizations,” McBride said.

On the bright side, early summer is not typically a busy time of year for high school athletics. Besides the conclusion of the spring sports season, many of these restrictions fall on dead periods. Student-athletes still have access to club sports with potentially looser regulations.

Looking at the fall, it’s still a guessing game as you'd expect. Brown said he’s encouraged with how many options are available, but admits it’s difficult to pinpoint what those options may entail.

“If I had it my way, obviously we’d be back to normal and everybody’s healthy and we’re good to go, but I think that’s probably unrealistic,” Brown said. “But I’m hopeful it’s as return to normal as possible and our kids need that. Our kids need that positive hope to get back to the things that they love and enjoy. It’s a giant dart board right now. I call it hurry up and wait.”