It didn’t take long for the complaining to start Wednesday after the Illinois High School Association unveiled its sports calendar for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.
“What’s the point of having a season without state playoffs?”
“My child won’t be able to play three sports with seasons overlapping.”
“There should be more than 50 spectators allowed to watch games.”
“I don’t want my child to wear a mask while competing.”
Take a deep breath.
Folks, moving forward, there was zero chance the IHSA’s sports calendar would receive 100% approval.
I mean, people complain about the sports schedule without the dark cloud of the coronavirus pandemic hovering over much of the world.
Can we get a grip?
How about appreciating the fact your son or daughter is going to get an opportunity to play for their high school, bond with their teammates and coaches, have fun and make lifelong memories?
And in the process, learn those valuable life lessons — teamwork, commitment, sportsmanship, leadership — that will provide a smoother path toward success as an adult.
And maybe, just maybe, catch the eye of a college recruiter.
“It’s not about winning championships,” Homewood-Flossmoor football coach Craig Buzea said. “Your No. 1 goal as a coach is to try to make these young men winners in life.”
Bravo.
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Please try to embrace this opportunity.
Be grateful.
We’re in the middle of a pandemic that has caused more than 400,000 deaths in the United States, altering the lives of everyone for nearly 11 months.
With a few exceptions in the fall, high school sports have not been played in Illinois since March 11.
That’s about to change for some.
Let’s celebrate.
Let’s fill the air with positive vibes during games.
Let’s make the next four months memorable in ways we all can reflect on fondly years down the road.
Your children — these student-athletes — deserve our support.
Especially the seniors, the 2021 class, most of whom will never play organized sports again once this season is over.
That said, I also can make an argument of the importance of playing sports for this freshman class who have had their introduction to high school severely altered.
And when I refer to support, it’s not limited for coaches and players.
Athletic directors now have the most difficult job in education. Putting together a schedule for multiple sports in a short period of time amid the guidelines of a pandemic will be the biggest challenge of their careers.
Be thankful for their efforts.
Respect the rules required that allow you to watch your kids play and enjoy the abbreviated season.
Yes, your kid will have to wear a mask during competition. And so will you if you’re one of the lucky few to be allowed in attendance.
Social distancing when required.
There is no bigger competitor than Mount Carmel football coach Jordan Lynch. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy as a quarterback at Northern Illinois. He guided Mount Carmel last season to the Class 7A state championship.
With 17 starters back, including his younger brother Justin, a quarterback and Temple recruit, the Caravan were eyeing back-to-back state titles.
Without a postseason, that can’t happen.
“If you would have told me back in July there wasn’t going to be any state championships, I would have been very upset,” he said. “That’s our goal every year — to win a state championship. And we’re absolutely loaded from a talent perspective.
“But now, coming this far and going through everything we’ve had to do, I just want to play football. And to be able to get another seven games with Justin and this group of seniors is going to be special.”
We’re living in unprecedented times. Let’s take a special approach to the situation at hand.
“I’ll tell you what,” Lynch said. “If we go 7-0, we’re going to celebrate like we won a state championship.”
That’s the spirit.