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04/27/2020 12:00 AMThe CIAC recently announced the cancellation of the spring sports postseason but has left open the possibility that regular-season games could be played given a resumption of the school year on Wednesday, May 20. Valley Regional Athletic Director Jeff Swan has had to stay on top of any news from the CIAC, and then keep in contact with coaches, parents, and student-athletes to keep them all informed.
“We’re away until May 20, but we’re under the direction of the governor to see when we come back. The CIAC is in the same boat. We’re having weekly meetings on Fridays. When the governor does give us the go ahead, that’s when we’ll have a better idea of the plan,” said Swan. “It’s not looking like we’ll have much of the season, if we do have a season. There’s no state tournament or conference tournaments. If we do get back, we still have our 10 days of practice. Then we would have an abbreviated schedule based on what happens.”
The most important thing to Director Swan is that everyone who has a stake in Warriors’ athletics is aware of the situation at every juncture.
“As a department, we’ve been trying to constantly communicate. I’ve been working with our principal, Mike Burell. I’ve preached in the past about effective communication. We want to put in his weekly announcements the updates that we see regarding athletics,” said Swan. “We’re very hopeful for a short season, if we do get back. We’ve been pretty upfront with the parents. It’s all about communication.”
Director Swan knows that his coaches and student athletes have been put in a difficult position. It’s nearly impossible to determine any plan for how to resume athletic activities without a firm date.
“The coaches are in a holding pattern. The fields are closed, and we’re waiting for the governor. I’ve reached out to the coaches, and they are being very patient,” Swan said. “They know it’s all about the safety of the kids. Just because the kids are in shape, they still need those 10 days of practice. It would be unsafe for us to assume that they are ready to play games right away.”
Even in the best possible scenario plays out during the next month, there are numerous logistical questions that will still need answers.
“We want to get right into it, but we have to be very careful about that. We just don’t know,” said Swan. “If we can go back on May 20, what does that really mean? Will we be able to just have a practice on May 21? We have to wait on the governor before we can say anything in terms of practice. We’re hopeful, but we still have to practice social distancing. We cannot be on the field until we get word it’s safe.”
Valley has potentially missed out on some historic teams during the COVID-19 outbreak. When the CIAC announced that winter state tournaments were cancelled, it was a huge blow to students, athletes, coaches, teachers, and parents. Director Swan feels proud of everyone for handling the situation with cool heads and a positive attitude that’s focused on the future.
The Warriors’ boys’ basketball team held one of the top seeds in the Division V State Tournament, and had an excellent chance to make a deep run. In that tough moment, Swan was encouraged by Warriors’ Head Coach Kevin Woods.
“The kids were obviously still in school when this all came down. We had a meeting and the kids took it hard, but a lot of them were mature about it and understood the whole thing. It was just a sad situation,” Swan said. “Kevin Woods is a good friend of mine and a professional. He could have complained and kicked up a storm, but he didn’t. He said, ‘We’ll be back and we’ll go forward.’ That goes to show the professionalism at this school. All our coaches are professional, and I’m very grateful for it.”
One Valley team that was geared up for stellar spring campaign was the Warriors’ softball squad. Last year, first-year Head Coach Allyson Pitney’s squad put together an outstanding season with a 21-3 overall record including a trip to the championship game of the Shoreline Conference Tournament, as well as the second round of states. Additionally, senior phenom Addy Bullis was primed to have another standout year. Director Swan hopes that even without a season, there will still be some sort of recognition for players.
“Addy Bullis is forgoing her senior year now. We also know there are still awards out there. Gatorade and all these people understand the position everyone’s in. They want to award achievement. We’re doing all the paperwork and everything for these players,” Swan said. “I’m hoping we can do a virtual award night or something, but that’s all in the preliminary stages. We’re going over some ideas.”
As time keeps passing, there are even potential impacts for the upcoming fall season. One major concern for Director Swan is finding a replacement for former Valley girls’ volleyball coach Kathy Scott.
“I’m hoping that we get back kind of normal and we can repost the volleyball head coaching position. I have some people who are interested, but of course, I haven’t been able to sit down with any of them,” Swan said. “I have to be careful about it because I want the right person in that position. Kathy Scott was great in that spot, and I want to make sure we have a worthy successor. So we’re just waiting.”
Director Swan knows there are challenges abound at this time, but he’s taking solace in the way his community has responded to them.
“I think it brings hope that we can get through this whole ordeal, play a little ball, and be together, eventually. Our students have been really resilient about it. They’ve stuck it out, and I hope we get something for them in return, even if it’s just six games,” said Swan. “It’s good for the younger kids to see how the older kids work. It would be great if we can take this adversity and make something of it. I’m hoping that we can take that into consideration. Of course, it’s all about what’s best for kids and keeping them safe.”