SVVSD athletics back in action

SVVSD athletics took another step towards normalcy on Monday with its teams getting the green light to begin practices. When Boulder County and state coronavirus regulations began to loosen, District Athletic Director Chase McBride jumped at the chance to bring sports back.

“We had intended to start at the beginning of June, but the health guidelines that we had to adhere to at that point didn't offer us the opportunity to gather and to participate in athletics and activities,” McBride said. “We just continued to monitor guidelines as they set forth and then, as they softened up to the groups of 25, we were able to make an adjustment in our plan. The plan was always there and always ready to be adjusted to meet the numbers and the criteria (and) the health guidelines and when that happened, we were ready to pull the trigger.”

For McBride’s reintegration to run smoothly, student-athletes must sign a pandemic consent waiver and will be screened at home or when they arrive at practice, which includes a temperature check and a few other health questions. Equipment must be disinfected between groups and players must also wear a mask when social distancing is not being followed. Masks can then be lowered when players are at a safe distance from others.

Practices are maxed out to groups of 25 with a “grid” system on every campus to promote social distancing. Indoors, congregations won’t exceed 10 players, except for volleyball where a traditional 12 on the court is permitted.

McBride has had several meetings with his school athletic directors to ensure athletics can proceed in a safe manner. He has preached that this summer will be a new experience, but it’s all part of the process.

“The journey has a little bit different purpose than it has in years past,” he said. “It's more about re-socializing and re-norming and getting back in front of the kids, getting them back together and just offering that opportunity for them to be around each other and be a team again. If that comes with spacing some things out, and working on individual type skill sets and light conditioning to get kids back in shape, that would allow for us... to re-norm and get back in shape before we move to the next phase.”

He expects the next phase of reintegration to happen in July as state and local health guidelines continue to loosen. McBride hopes to allow for scrimmages with other teams and ramp up the competition for players.

Although athletics don’t look quite the same, McBride has seen a level of enthusiasm unparalleled in recent months.

“Our guys are excited and our coaches are excited and our schools are excited,” he said. “I think this is gonna be good for the communities.”