COVID-19 + Hall Athletics
Masks, social distancing, and no spectators are what student-athletes will have to experience for the time being. This is the new normal for high school student-athletes in 2020. For many of them, they are thankful for the opportunity to get back on the field when months ago it did not look likely to happen. Masks must be worn at all times with only the exception to playing in a game. All student-athletes must adhere to social distancing. Before every game and practice, the players line up their bags a safe distance apart and begin a socially distant warm-up. Transportation will also be different. During a normal season, the bus rides are jam-packed with loud music celebrating after a big win. However, this year it’s only one person per seat with a much more quiet atmosphere. Even with all of the implemented safety precautions, the season could not start on time. All teams would have three weeks of skill training in cohorts of 10. Possibly the biggest change in student’s eyes is the empty bleachers. Hall has made the decision to close the bleachers to help prevent the spread. Spectators are allowed to stand behind the fence, which does prohibit their view of the game. All players, coaches, and fans must be wearing a mask. Not only does this affect the players, but the students in general. In 2019, the Hall student section was filled to the brim for almost all soccer and football games. Every home football game, most students already know where everyone was going to be that night. For away games, Hall’s parents aren’t even allowed to be present in the field. A youtube channel has streamed most soccer games, but watching your son or daughter’s sports game on a computer screen is not ideal for most parents.
