Some North Texas high schools resume summer workouts amid COVID-19 outbreak
DALLAS - Student-athletes across Texas were allowed to resume summer workouts on Monday, but some high schools and middle schools opted not to participate.
The University Interscholastic League recommended schools close summer workouts July 3 – 12. Schools were allowed to resume Monday with a face-covering rule for student-athletes when not exercising. Equipment must be sanitized.
So far, the UIL says the fall season is a go but hasn’t said when it’ll start.
Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa appeared on Good Day Monday and is still doubtful, offering this reasoning.
“In the month of March, we had 1,300 cases in Dallas County. Currently, we have over a thousand new cases every day. In the month of March, we stopped the state basketball tournament when Madison was going to the championship game. And basketball is a lot less of a contact sport than football is,” he explained. “So just reading the numbers and looking at the data, I still think it’s in jeopardy. We’ll see. It’s not my call. It’s the University Interscholastic League’s call. But even the Big 10 suspended their non-conference games.”
Practice at the Loos Sports Complex for Dallas ISD’s W.T. White Longhorns on Monday morning was voluntary for the athletes and coaches.
Outside the stadium, each athlete had their temperature checked and coaches screened for symptoms before players were allowed inside.
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“I’m optimistic we'll have some sort of season, I'm hopeful we will. Kids need sports. This is my 27th year, I see the value in it,” said Tony Johnson, athletic coordinator and head football coach at W.T. White. “I also understand the pandemic we are living through. If we have to move the season, I understand that as well. We'll adjust. Coaches are some of the best people on adjusting on the fly.”
Despite the uncertainty, coaches say they’ll keep showing up. They are staying optimistic and in game shape.
“I don’t know anything guys. I have not been given any answers as to when your season will begin. Believe me, I am as anxious as you are to do this,” Johnson told his players. “But we are going to do it safe, and we are going to do it right. Do you understand that?”
W.T. White held about four weeks’ worth of practices before halting at the start of July.
Dallas ISD opted not to hold workouts for middle school athletes. High school programs were allowed to decide at the campus level. Some, like Hillcrest High School, decided to hold off for the time being.
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