Athletes react to the sports shutdown

Almost all sports have been closed in California due to the Coronavirus pandemic since March. More recently, various teams were permitted to practice under strict guidelines such as minimal contact, constant temperature testing, mandatory mask-wearing, and six feet’ social distancing. A violation of these rules can lead to serious consequences, including losing practice time for the team or the entire club.  

According to many parents, sports keep their kids active, and not playing takes a mental and emotional toll on athletes. Hundreds of athletes, parents, and coaches held a rally where they cried out “let us play” at the administration building in downtown San Diego on Oct. 10. 

Ryan, a sophomore from La Costa Canyon and San Diego Surf soccer player, attended the rally. With online schools, a lot of athlete’s outlets are sports. “We get to practice, but it isn’t the same. We don’t even wear shin guards because we can’t really do anything.  I want to play again like normal,” he said.

Mia Vassilovski, a sophomore at San Dieguito Academy and Del Mar Sharks player, shared similar sentiments.

“It’s unfortunate that so many sports are being canceled due to Covid, but it’s understandable due to the current condition with the pandemic; we just need to support one another through this tough time,” Vassilovski said. 

Summer Humphreys, a sophomore at LCC and Cardiff soccer player, said that her family was driving to Arizona for the weekend just so her sister could play in games.

“It’s not unusual to travel for sports, but normally we don’t have to leave the state as our only option.  My parents have to drive and rent a hotel, and I know it’s a lot extra than what they are used to,” Humphreys said. 

Guy Newman, former Del Mar Sharks coach and Coaching of Encinitas Express director, said that Surf Cup was the second-largest moneymaker for San Diego. Now, that’s all gone. 

A study by the San Diego State University Center for Hospitality and Tourism Research estimated that 35,000 people attended just three of Surf Cup’s events in 2014, with 80 percent from out of town. They spent 23,000 nights in hotels and generated $14 million in economic activity.  Again, that was just three events.

Again, that was just three events, according to Courant. The hotels and restaurants are always full and make a lot of money from the out of town guests that travel to San Diego.   San Diego Surf Sports indicated that they tried everything to keep the tournament local but were forced to move locations because there is no guideline or standard for when youth sports competition will be allowed to open in San Diego.  

Regan Skylar, a sophomore who plays for SoCal Blues in Orange County, said that while she is happy that she gets to play, everything has been different.

“I’m so happy we finally get to play, but we haven’t even had a real practice, and now we have games.  It’s not fair.  And my mom and dad don’t want to have to travel every weekend so that we can play in a game.”

More teammates from Skylar’s team agree with her. “If Arizona can do it safely, why can’t we do it in California?  Doesn’t it make better sense to spread us out rather than have even more people in only one location?”   

Parents and players are struggling through the tough times we are living through right now. The added restriction to an outlet is making the situation more stressful and difficult.

For more updates, check out the California Interscholastic Federation website.