State gives all-clear for student-athletes to return to campus

High school coaches and athletes got the news last week they’ve been waiting to hear for more than two months: It’s time to get back on campus and get to work in the hopes of a return to organized sports in the fall.

Gov. Kay Ivey’s newest amended Safer At Home order, announced Thursday, will allow students back on school campus a week earlier than previously thought. The original order said June 8; the new order says June 1.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey said he and his team will continue to monitor schools in the state, including high school sports.

Red Bay’s Shane Nichols will be starting a volleyball team from scratch this year, and he said he is glad to get potential players on campus to start evaluations.

“This is big. It will be good for the kids to get back to a routine and get back to normal,” said Nichols. “The kids are excited about starting volleyball. We had about 70-80 interested.

“This will pose a lot of challenges,” Nichols added. “It is new, and it will take more time to implement things. So, the more time we get, the better off we will be.”

Mandatory summer workouts are not allowed by the AHSAA, but schools will be able to return to weightlifting, conditioning and skills workouts June 1.

Summer competitions were cancelled by the AHSAA two weeks ago.

“The AHSAA, its Central Board of Control, along with the Alabama State Department of Education, has updated its guidelines regarding summer activities,” AHSAA executive director Steve Savarese said. “The biggest change is our schools may reopen June 1, a week earlier than the June 8 date previously discussed. We are elated to have a definite date for our coaches and student-athletes to return to their schools, where they can continue to experience valuable educational lessons through athletics.”

The AHSAA has committees that are still exploring when and how high school sports competition will be able to return in the fall.

Some key rules for the return campus and practice include:

  • All student-athletes must have a current pre-participation physical, 2020-21 Consent Release and concussion form on file prior to participating in summer activities.
  • Facial coverings are recommended to the greatest extent possible but should be worn when an activity requires a person to be closer than 6 feet and when entering common areas.
  • Only school personnel, coaches, athletic trainers and student-athletes should be present during activities. Non-essential personnel should not be present.
  • All equipment and surfaces, including weights, benches, balls, bats, helmets, gloves and so forth, should be cleaned after each group activity, individual workout or skill development session. Avoid sharing equipment or personal items such as towels, cups, water bottles and gloves when possible.

Each individual school system is responsible for monitoring health guidelines with its schools.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

Franklin County

RCS holds annual Black History Month program 

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: American Legion Posts 64 and 120 – ‘Veterans Strengthening America’

Franklin County

RHS graduate crowned Miss Northwest Shoals

Franklin County

RHS graduate crowned Miss UNA

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: In memoriam – Monuments honor the fallen of Franklin

High School Sports

RHS senior chosen as Bryant-Jordan Region 8 Scholar winner

High School Sports

Russellville High School ladies soccer team members participate in annual Night to Shine

x