Student-athletes in Missouri may get a chance to play games during the summer that otherwise would have been scratched.
The Missouri State High School Activities Association is considering changes to state bylaws that would allow games to be played during the summer months.
“We're going to leave no stone unturned,” Christian Brothers College High School athletic director Rocky Streb told the St. Louis CBS affiliate. “We are going to do whatever it is we need to do to safely make these kids feel connected.”
The MSHSAA last week approved changes to their summer bylaws, but high school athletic directors say the matter is more complex than it might appear at first glance.
“The trouble is every time we break the huddle we come to the line of scrimmage, the play's an option,” said Streb. “You don't know what's going to happen until the ball is in play. We really don't know what we're going to be allowed to do and when we’re going to be able to do it.”
Of greatest concern among ADs is student safety, as well as working around the logistics of seniors moving on to college.
“They move on, if you're in college playing a college sport next year as an incoming freshman, you're likely going to have to report to school by July 5,” said Streb. “So that cuts down on what kind of time frame that we have to work with.”
The plan at present is to move forward with summer games, but ADs are also waiting to hear from Missouri governor Mike Parson on Friday.
“We think that might open up some doors or help us find out what's going on,” said Streb. "We’re going to do what we need to do to make that happen.”
