While athletes, coaches and fans around the state were wanting definitive answers from KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett and the KHSAA Board of Control on fall sports, they’ll have to wait until around July 28 to have most of their questions answered.
For football, soccer, volleyball and cross country, things will remain in a holding pattern until Aug. 2, but golf can go on as scheduled with tournaments scheduled to begin July 31. Golf’s official practice start date also remains the same, as athletes can hit the course with their teams July 15.
Owensboro Catholic boys’ golf coach Bretnea Turner said it’ll be nice for her student-athletes to get back in a routine.
“I’m happy to have an idea of what this season will look like and I’m happy to have a sense of normalcy returned to the golf season,” she said. “I think that will be great for kids, giving them something to look forward to. And while it’s not exactly as it has been in previous years, golf has been largely unaffected, as it is a naturally ‘social- distanced’ sport, so with that we are very lucky.
“Obviously, it is most important to coaches to keep kids safe whether that be from heat, insects, sports injuries, illness, or anything else that could harm them and I know I can speak for any coach in the state when I say that we will do our very best to continue ensuring the safety of all kids. Personally, as a teacher and coach, I have missed my players and students and I can’t wait to be back with them. Starting open practices was definitely a highlight of the summer. We understand that this could all change at any given time, but we are taking each day in stride and looking forward to competing this season.”
Turner said she’s already given her players some words of wisdom.
“My first practice back, I talked with my players about expecting this year to be totally different in school and in sports,” she said. “To take change in stride and understand that choices are being made to help keep them and their families safe. But to be grateful that we get to play, because youth sports really do mean the world to our kids. They will be happier with the option to play, no matter how different it will be.”
Daviess County boys’ golf coach Lars King agreed.
“I am very excited,” he said. “I hope that this is a step towards normalcy. I am happy for all the other sports that they will get to have their fall season too.”
While golf is the only sport that’s rearing to go right now, Tackett said that doesn’t mean it’ll be the only sport being this played fall.
“This board plans on playing our fall sports, period,” Tackett said during the action portion of Friday morning’s meetings.
Friday’s first meeting was the KHSAA Board of Control’s work session, which was used to determine the need for action in a meeting that took place later Friday.
Currently, teams across Kentucky can practice in groups of 50 or less, but the KHSAA also made a move to limit the amount of time an athlete can practice in a week to six hours.
Owensboro football coach Jay Fallin said he thinks Friday’s meeting is a good sign forward.
“First of all, kudos to commissioner Tackett and the Board of Control for making difficult decisions, that are guaranteed to be unpopular with some segment of the state regardless of the decision, in an open, thoughtful and transparent fashion,” he said. “I am encouraged by the commissioner’s comments this morning and we look forward to getting back to work on Monday morning with the hopes of a season to prepare for.
“As always, player safety is our greatest concern and will govern our decisions. I hope all Kentuckians will pull together and make the sacrifices that are necessary for us to get back to some semblance of normalcy as soon as safely possible.”
Tackett and the rest of the KHSAA Board of Control went over many topics pertaining to the future of sports in the state, including admitting four new teams into the KHSAA.
Trinity Christian, Somerset Christian, North Hardin Christian and Foundation Christian will all join the KHSAA as North Hardin Christian is a former member but have been in the Kentucky Christian Athletic Association.
