Five weeks after suspending fall sports at Reading High, the Reading school board will revisit the issue with a special meeting Wednesday to address extracurricular activities.

The board voted 8-1 Aug. 6 to suspend fall sports because of health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Parents and student-athletes implored the board to reconsider when it last convened Aug. 26, but no action was taken at that meeting.

Perhaps the outpouring of support to play fall sports has changed a few minds on the board.

Patty Wright, the lone board member to vote in favor of playing fall sports, said the special meeting could be “the fruit from the labor that all the students and their parents” expressed during the public comment section at the last meeting.

“I can’t express how much I have grown and matured because of the Reading High football program,” Kobe Hopkins, a senior and captain on the football team, wrote in a letter that was read to the board Aug. 26. “It’s important for us to hear the voices of our coaches and mentors … as they guide us to become better men in so many different aspects of life.

“We are hurt… heartbroken… frustrated… disappointed… We constantly feel forgotten. We hope that you can find it in your heart to hear our voice and let us play.”

The special meeting was requested by board member Mark Detterline, according to Wright.

Wright remains upset that Reading High’s student-athletes have been denied the chance to compete while every other Berks school proceeds with fall sports.

“It’s unfair,” she said. “I understand the safety aspect (of suspending play). We all understand that. But we are the only ones in our area not participating. We’re now being held back while everyone else is moving forward. If it was about safety, then the governor should step in and say something. Not only has he not terminated sports, now he’s lifted the ban on spectators.”

Should the board reverse its position, it would be difficult for the fall sports teams to get up and running again. Teams have not practiced or worked out since the Aug. 6 shutdown. Meanwhile, practice in non-contact sports began Aug. 24 across Berks County and Aug. 31 for football.

Berks football teams Friday completed the PIAA-mandated heat acclimatization period, and some will be begin contact practice Saturday.

The Berks football season is scheduled to kick off Sept. 18.

Practice for boys and girls soccer, field hockey and girls volleyball began Friday. Games are set to begin Sept. 22.

It would take the Red Knights football, soccer and volleyball teams at least three weeks of practice and conditioning to meet PIAA requirements, and perhaps longer to be ready for competition. That would take them into October.

There’s also the matter of scheduling. When Reading High informed BCIAA members of its decision to suspend fall sports, opponents began replacing the Red Knights on their schedules.

Even if Reading High did choose to play fall sports, its teams might have difficulty finding available opponents.

The option of moving the fall sports season to the spring still remains in play. The PIAA opened the door for such a move and is reportedly making plans for the 80 or more schools across the state that have suspended fall play.

While some would question how a school district could justify playing sports while it goes to all-virtual educationally because of health concerns, the PIAA has opened the door for that. Executive director Dr. Robert Lombardi said that scenario is no different than home-school students who learn virtually but remain eligible to participate in athletics.