Lombardi tells PA Athletic Oversight Committee that PIAA intends to move forward with fall sports.

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Billy Splain | August 18, 2020

Today the PA Athletic Oversight Committee heard testimony from several panels on the issue of why fall sports should continue. PIAA Executive Director Dr. Bob Lombardi got things rolling with a report about the PIAA activities and the difficulties they have been met with.  He continued: “The PIAA Sports medicine advisory committee issued the following statement from their July 2020 meeting “”This advisory committee believes that strict adherence by schools and teams to their school adopted plan and the governor school sports guidance should provide a reasonable safe environment for student athletes to participate in her scholastic activities and scheduled”. Lombardi said this was an important statement as it came from doctors from all over to Commonwealth workforce schools and student athletes on a daily basis who understand infectious disease management as well as other issues important current issues.

He went on to state that “Fall sports will not stop with the cessation of schools throughout the commonwealth. He mentioned that numerous organizations have held many events throughout the state and to the knowledge of the PIAA there were no real issues with covid-19. To this end, Lomardi was insistent that if another mandatory sport shutdown should happen, parents would allow their children to participate in those club activities.   “Students will not stop playing, they will simply seek out other sporting outlets. Martin then asked Lombardi knows of any schools who had any issues related to youth sports since July.” Lombardi said he wasn’t aware, nor is he aware of any program that hasn’t prepared a back to school safety plan.

Lombard also spoke about the importance of PIAA member schools and how they would be able to more closely monitor and ensure the safety of athletes by making sure they abide by the restrictions that local schools have put in place with their return to athletics plans and guidelines, something many club activities don’t have as well as the training and clearances that local coaches must have.

Contrary to the statement given by State Health Secretary Levine this morning stating “School sports haven’t started, school is just starting this week, so I can’t use data from sports that haven’t officially started,” more HERE    PIAA Executive Director Dr. Bob Lombardi did come to the testimony with some data they’ve collected through a statewide survey: “In an attempt to attain factual data, we have received some pre-screening numbers compiled by member schools. Because this is not a systematic approach, the PIAA does understand this is just a random sample of what is happening.”

Under this sample, 10,389 student athletes were prescreened for COVID-19. 14 failed pre-screening due to an elevated temperature, 1 tested positive. That’s .0096%.  In another sampling 19,911 sampled, 41 failed pre-screening testing due to elevated temperatures, testing disclosed 3 positives, that’s a .015%.  To sum it up with two random samples, we had over 30,303 screening with 4 positive tests which is a .013%. It is our view that continued prescreening testing be implemented will help minimize the risk to sports participants. Two weeks ago the governor said he’d like to see sports halted until January 1. We met with his staff and they indicated they have no specific medical or research data to suggest that participation in sports increases that risk. Public health also doesn’t appear to have any info.  Since we have provided you with actual data, we would like to go ahead with the continuation of fall sports, in optimal fall weather, before the onset of winter flu season.”

When it comes to how data is important to different areas, Lombardi noted that areas north if interstate 80, “you have areas that have had very low numbers since March. They’ve also been doing what they need, mom and dad have stayed home and gave their teams the opportunity to compete. Our families have really come together and I tip my hat to them.”

Lombari also gave a sample of what we could see such as a shortened season to prevent statewide travel with teams trying to schedule local teams. When asked whether playoffs would happen, he gave various scenarios such as a shortened playoff system, reducing the number of qualifiers. He again made it known they would allow those schools who did not qualify for playoffs would be able to continue their season. He also noted that with a shortened season, county to county travel, which is an issue that has been raised various times, would be limited but also noted that many conferences have schools in 2-3 and sometimes 4 counties so that really isn’t practical.

He noted there are two instances where they would need the help of the legislature, Volleyball and Girls/Boys water polo.  The current limit of 25 people is restricting. He said it makes total sense that spacious gymnasiums and natatoriums could provide plenty of room and that maybe a better approach would be to use the capacity of the building as guidance, limit attendance to 25%.

Dr. Lombardi also noted “The administration has issued some guidance regarding no spectators. We are opposed to this limitation. We believe the presence of limited spectators, especially immediate family members, are important. If the minimum is two family members, we would attempt to work with that. However, parents, guardians and grandparents need to be in attendance to see their children perform. From health & safety standpoint, if there was any type of injury or trauma to an athlete, they would be available to assist in the treatment & assessment of their child. In almost all venues, they would be able to spread out to permit social distancing.”

The talk then turned to the schools seeking protection from liability due to covid exposure. “Many of our schools are requesting protection from legal challenges and the administration providing any legal immunity from any liability would really change the landscape for our schools” said Lombardi. The PIAA has contacted insurance companies to seek information for coverage.  He also mentioned that those students attending school virtually are allowed, by law, to participate in school sports.

New PA AoC Chairman, Senator Martin then took the floor stating that he “doesn’t think anyone in this meeting would mean the idea of spectators would mean packing a stadium full of fans without any kind of proper safety guidelines. He also noted the importance of families being able to watch their children.  “Since most of PA, pretty much all of PA went to Green (phase) in June, the one thing that has taken off is youth sports. Martin mentioned he coaches Youth football at Lampeter-Strasburg. He says the league he’s in requires at least one parent to be in attendance for safety reasons.

Toward the end of Lombardi’s testimony, Senator Martin brought up a big point. “I know that people want to simplify the fact that we ought to be just focused on education. Well first we’re just not talking about football, we’re talking about many activities here and how our kids socialize, how they develop mentally and physically and what we need to also remember is some of these activities provide pathways to another level of education. And some of the extreme cases I’ve seen is that many times sports and activities are an anchor to keep kids involved in their education. I read a disturbing article that listed 6 or 7 athletes that have been gunned down in the city of Philadelphia.” He went on to talk about how sports keeps kids off the streets, keeps them from feeling isolated and depressed from not being around their peers.”

The next portion of the hearing had Richland Athletic director Brandon Bailey bringing up the many different events and teams that participated in the Cambria County area.  He mentioned that his own team at Richland hosted a large 7v7 tournament in July and there were many sports tournaments the were held with no known issues as far as covid-19 outbreaks.

Then Manheim Township Head Football Coach Mark Evans pretty much stole the show. Coach Evans said the key is communication and that they are constantly talking with parents and players. He said that is a huge piece of having a successful return to sport plan and that the parents have been extremely receptive. He then made a plea, “We as coaches will have other classes but these kids will only have one senior season. Let them have the chance. Please let us play a few downs before we punt, nobody punts on first down unless you’re “the Waterboy”.

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