UIL: Fall sports will start on time for Class 1A-4A
Athens ISD gets ready for practice to begin Aug. 3
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The University Interscholastic League (UIL) dropped a bit of a surprise on many of the coaches in Texas today. The UIL announced fall sports will be starting on time for everyone in Class 1A - 4A.
“Our goal in releasing this plan is to provide a path forward for Texas students and schools,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “While understanding situations change and there will likely be interruptions that will require flexibility and patience, we are hopeful this plan allows students to participate in the education-based activities they love in a way that prioritizes safety and mitigates risk of COVID-19 spread.”
The UIL did push back the start for Class 5A-6A athletics, but that was a move many coaches were expecting to happen across the board.
“I was pretty surprised, to be honest with you,” said Athens ISD Athletic Director and head football coach Zac Harrell. “I was kind of expecting that they would push everything to the September date.”
COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines will be in place, which means there could be intermittent stoppages.
According to the UIL press release, “This plan allows for schools to make playing decisions at the local level, and the UIL will work directly with schools that have scheduling issues not addressed in this plan to allow them flexibility to complete as many contests as possible.”
Football and volleyball for Class 1A - 4A are set to begin practice on Aug. 3, just 13 days from now.
“It’s going to be a challenge, a good challenge,” Harrell said. “We have a lot of planning to do and information to get out as quickly as possible for our kids and our parents.”
Harrell is confident moving forward.
“At Athens ISD, we take pride in doing everything right,” he said. “We’re going to follow all the guidelines and make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure we are being safe.”
“I know we have great coaches, we have great kids. I am just excited to see our kids,” he said.
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