MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A quick double-take at my phone last Wednesday and the realization hit me what the COVID-19 virus pandemic could mean to the sports world.
“BREAKING: NBA season suspended due to coronavirus,” my phone read.
While taking the necessary precautions the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended leading up to that point, there wasn’t much concern, naively, racing through my head. But with a major professional sports league taking the drastic step of suspending itself, that’s when it felt more real.
This is not to downplay the severity of coronavirus outside of the sports world, because as we all know, sports are entertainment and can take a backseat when the world faces a situation like it is now.
On that same token, the cancellation and suspensions of sports across the world does have a dramatic effect on millions of people. The NBA’s decision snowballed into the college basketball postseasons being canceled; the NHL, MLS and MLB seasons being placed on hold; and locally, the suspension of high school sports.
Last Thursday, the University High girls’ basketball team was celebrating as it walked off the Charleston Coliseum court after a big win over Cabell Midland in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. An hour later, the Hawks found out they were going home after Gov. Jim Justice announced both the boys’ and girls’ tournaments were placed on hold.
As each day passes, the likelihood the girls’ will resume and the boys’ will begin seems less likely, thus ending the high school careers of many seniors, most of whom will never play competitively again.
Ashten Boggs, Abbie Coen, Bella Bowers, Kassidy Wolfe and Mallory Napolillo probably won’t get a chance to avenge a state title game loss to Parkersburg in 2019. The same can be said for Kaden Metheny, K.J. McClurg, Kyle Smith, John Ross Mazza, Mike Maumbe and Javier Reyes on the boys’ side, as they looked to defend their state championship.
You can certainly say sports are not important in the grand scheme of things, and you’re right, but you’re also allowed to say this really, really sucks. It’s OK to allow people to be disappointed sports will not be a part of our society for a long time. There are many people affected professionally and personally, and with CDC recommendations, it looks like it’ll be months before our favorite athletes or teams take the field or court again.
No WVU team will play again until the academic calendar is complete. That means no baseball at Mon County Ballpark or track and field at the sparkling new facility at Mylan Park. The Mountaineers will also lose five weeks of practice on the football field.
High school spring sports cannot resume in any manner — games, scrimmages, practices, meetings, etc. — until at least April 10, but that date will likely be pushed back. If the high school calendar begins, seniors will still lose a vast majority of their final season. And that is a real bummer.
In the meantime, The Dominion Post needs your help. With sanctioned sports on a indefinite hiatus, we are in search of ideas from the community, so please contact sports@dominionpost.com with information.
Be safe, be smart, listen to those who have our best interests in mind, and eventually, sports will become a focal point in our lives.
