North Cook News

As an impasse between Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) continues; parents of student athletes at Regina Dominican High School hope leaders can recognize that high school sports do not pose a real transmission risk if taking reasonable precautions to prevent the virus' spread. 

The IHSA Board of Directors is seeking to extend an olive branch after an initial vote of defiance following Pritzker’s reclassification of high school sports, including basketball, from medium-risk to high-risk, effectively delaying the start of the season, according to coverage by the Chicago Tribune. The board will meet this Thurs., Nov. 19, and has invited Pritzker to send representatives from his office to attend the meeting and discuss a way forward.

One student athlete parent, Maureen French, recently spoke with the North Cook News about how the situation has affected her daughter, whom is a starter on the girls varsity basketball team at Regina Dominican.

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“I think the kids should play,” French told the North Cook News. 

While French stated she is a “strong supporter” of measures such as masks and social distancing, she says she feels that with the proper precautions in place, high school sports should be able to continue.

“When I look at the kids and I look at the sports, I don’t think that there has been enough data that shows anything other than very few transmissions happening, whether it be on the field or on the court,” she told the North Cook News.

French cited a study conducted by the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association. This study concluded that among 207 schools, with more than 30,000 student athletes participating in 16,000 practices and 4,000 competitive games in September, only 271 COVID-19 cases were found among athletes. This is a lower positive test rate than the general population for the same age group, stated the study.

“They identified that less than 0.5% of transmission happened through the athletes, either through practice or through playing on the field,” French told the North Cook News. 

“Granted it’s football, but it’s a good representation and good data to show that, if it’s done right, these kids could minimize – and frankly – eliminate transmissions,” said French. 

As it sits, the Regina Dominican’s teams are practicing in anticipation they may still get to play, French told the North Cook News.

“The question is now whether or not they have other schools to play, because it’s kind of being left to each school individually to make decisions,” said French.

That, unfortunately, leaves all athletes, parents and coaches hanging unil a final decision can be made.

“We’re kind of in a wait-and-see mode,” French told the North Cook News, “but our athletic director and our coaches are saying that they would like to move forward, and I know the parents feel the same way.”