MPR News with Angela Davis

How the pandemic has upended high school sports

Books, paper and other items are organized in an otherwise empty gym.
Books, work and students' belongings are organized in the North High School gym on March 23 as the school temporarily closed amid the COVID-19 outbreak to prepare for distance learning.
Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News file

Earlier this month, the Minnesota State High School League announced changes to fall and spring sports.

The changes are designed to limit exposure of athletes, coaches and officials to the highly contagious COVID-19.

For many students, coaches and their families, delaying several fall sports was another gut punch to an already frustrating situation. Many of them had their previous season cut short when the coronavirus pandemic caused everyone to quarantine at home. 

Three coaches joined the program to talk about how they're dealing with this disruption and how this could impact their students’ future. 

Guests:

  • Stephanie Blanda, head volleyball coach at North St. Paul High School.

  • Dan Harrison, Cottage Grove Athletic Association president and a baseball coach at Park High School in Cottage Grove.

  • Jeff Williams, head football coach at Owatonna High School. 

Use the audio player above to listen to the program.

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