Opinion: Random musings
The UIL has dangled the first carrot in their decision of what to do with fall sports. Recently, they announced a tentative fall schedule that seemed a little strange. With a few strings attached, they allowed the first four classifications to start their seasons on time while delaying the start of 5A-6A seasons into September. My question is why? Are they just using the smaller schools as guinea pigs? Otherwise what is the difference between a student in a class A school from a 6A one?
All of this is taking place at a time when many college conferences have postponed fall sports to spring and others have chosen to make significant changes to their schedules. There are states that have cancelled all high school fall sports. For the most part, most schools have opted to start the school year with virtual learning and no in-class instruction.
COVID-19 is a problem we have no cure for and quite a few more questions than answers with more on both sides cropping up each day. There are major obstacles to be met before and after there is a conclusion. We are finding out anyone from infancy on can catch it and those that recover do not always recover quickly. Some have been known to catch it again. Even worse is the unknown down the road as to how it will affect our long-term health. Yes, there are those brashly pointing out the low percentage of deaths and higher percentage of recoveries as good reasons to defy. Easy to say if you are not one of them.
What is disappointing is the sports world has always prided itself in lifelong characteristics gained in a sport as justification for having and playing sports. We point out the importance of sacrificing for the good of the team/group. Instilling the discipline necessary to carry out those tasks. Having a healthy respect for the rules to insure a fair contest, plus the patience to accomplish all. Thinking in that vein and decisions being made, one has to wonder if those values are not being taught or just not being learned. You see pictures, watch youth or adult recreational sports and even though they brag about precautions being taken what you see is few masks and little physical distancing. Money wins out over health.
Everyone wants to point out what a tragedy it is to miss a season. Sure everyone hates to miss but it is not an end of the world problem. Players have to miss seasons all the time due to injury, etc. Millions miss each year due to choice or not getting the opportunity and they all seem to survive. By the time they are twelve, 75% drop out. Less than 1% play beyond high school and less than 1% succeeds beyond college. Still there is no reason to let that bother you. If one is interested in playing a sport, the adult recreational sports are there to continue your passion for as long as you want. Our adult softball league for example, has people that have played 20-30 years, including myself still playing at 78. For most, there is time to make up missed seasons. For me, missing a season is far better than having to miss friends, family or unknowns for the rest of my life due to my negligence in giving them the virus. That's a tough load to carry.
Outdoor activities seem to be on the increase due to the virus and it brings the opportunity to meet new people. For several years now, myself and two of my good friends have made it a point to walk the trail at the Sports and Recreation Park each morning. Along with good exercise and discussions, we get to see people along the trail and greet them as we cross paths. Most times not knowing who they are. One gentleman was always walking with his dog about the same time as we did. Very personable. So we would strike up conversations and finally decided to exchange names and find out more about each other. Come to find out his name was Bill Euler and he was in the process of building a new restaurant. The restaurant, Le Vacher ( The Herdsman) is located at the Windmill Center on Hwy 290, just east of Wallace Mtn. The chef is Jacob, Bill's son, and it will have French-oriented food. The grand opening is slated for August 1 but in the meantime, to our delight, Bill invited our crew to a sample meal along with others as a practice run. Can only tell you we enjoyed ourselves immensely. The staff and facility are first class and we think anyone would do well to try it out and judge for themselves.