Dundee plans details for sports return

DUNDEE–With soccer and cross country getting underway Sept. 21, Dundee Central School District Co-Athletic Director Scott Shepardson held a Facebook Live meeting, Thursday, Sept. 17 to give an update on the status of school athletics during the COVID-19 pandemic. While football and competitive cheerleading will not start, Shepardson said the season has been delayed.
“Football, volleyball and competitive cheer will start on March 1 during what we are calling (fall-two),” Shepardson said.
Both cross country and soccer teams were formed through a partnership between Dundee and Bradford. Cross country practices will take place solely at Dundee while soccer practices will be split between the two districts.
Winter sports have been moved back from Nov. 15 to Nov. 30. In order to minimize scheduling challenges in the spring, that traditional season now begins on April 19.
“There might be some overlap but the ending practices for fall-two will count as a practice towards spring sports,” Shepardson said.
The aspect regarding practice is important, Shepardson said, because new state guidelines require student-athletes to have finished 10 practices before being able to play in a game instead of the traditional six.
“The state decided with students (being home for the last nine months) athletes would need additional practices to get (into game shape) and we agree that,” Shepardson said.
As to masks, Shepardson said they will be required at all times unless during competition an athlete determines it is too uncomfortable to use.
Shepardson reiterated throughout the meeting the district did not institute the new guidelines and was not consulted in their creation.
“Please know these decisions are being made for us,” he said.
As to spectators, Shepardson said each athlete will only be permitted two guests, both of whom must be pre-registered on a list that will be distributed to schools in the section.
“You will not be allowed in unless you are on that list,” Shepardson said.
Student-athletes will also be required to attend virtual meetings with coaches to go over the new guidelines and to make sure everyone is on the same page.
“If a student-athlete can not attend they must let their coach know in advance,” Shepardson said.
Students and parents will also be responsible for disinfecting personal equipment such as cleats and shin guards after every practice.
“We will disinfect team equipment like soccer balls,” Shepardson said.
And while students will be allowed to change and use locker rooms, they will not be given assigned lockers and are responsible for bringing in all sports equipment for a practice or game that day and leaving with it that day.
“We are getting different guidelines with different interpretations all the time so if you have questions please feel free to post them or call the school and we will do our best to get you that information,” Shepardson said.