By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
The University Interscholastic League released new guidelines Wednesday for in-person summer strength and conditioning and sport-specific instruction.
East Valley school districts, and others across Texas, are not currently participating in summer workouts as a precaution due to rising COVID-19 cases. The UIL released a statement July 1 recommending its member schools pause all practices until July 13 “in anticipation of increased social interactions” through the July Fourth holiday.
When coaches and student-athletes return to school facilities for training, some previous restrictions will be lifted or loosened.
Locker rooms and showers will be accessible, and competitive drills involving more than one athlete will be permitted starting Monday. The UIL said “schools must develop mitigation plans … in order to provide students access to locker rooms and showers.”
The new UIL guidelines allow a maximum of 50 percent capacity for indoor workouts, and all workout stations must be at least 10 feet apart in all directions. Schools can provide uniform items such as shirts, shorts and shoes, but those can’t be laundered at school facilities. Sports equipment can be used during sport-specific training and must be thoroughly disinfected between group uses.
Face coverings will be mandatory for all staff members, visitors and athletes, unless they’re engaging in a physical activity while maintaining at least six feet of distance between themselves and others. Also, the UIL is calling for required screenings for all staff members in accordance with TEA screening requirements before they’re allowed to participate in UIL activities, and recommending screenings for students.
Additionally, the UIL has updated the summer calendar to allow workouts July 20-21. Those days were previously marked as “period of no activity” because of the Texas High School Coaches Association Coaching School and Convention, but the event has been changed to virtual rather than in-person, granting school districts the opportunity to train.
Some East Valley districts are planning to take advantage of those extra days to reopen their summer programs, while others are still determining the best course of action.
Harlingen CISD and Rio Hondo ISD are targeting July 20 as the first day they’ll pick up the second half of their strength and conditioning and sport-specific programs. A potential start date has not been decided for San Benito CISD, Santa Rosa ISD, San Perlita ISD, Santa Maria ISD, Raymondville ISD or Lyford CISD.
Brownsville ISD originally announced July 13 as its goal to have athletes return to their respective facilities, but its strength and conditioning programs are now suspended indefinitely. Los Fresnos CISD and Point Isabel ISD will continue monitoring the situation before setting a target date.
The UIL stated it “will continue to work with state officials and monitor (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and other federal guidance to determine any potential modifications” to its latest set of guidelines.