April/May 2020 - 10

A.D.MINISTRATION athletic director strategies
dealing with the
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
By Dr. David Hoch, columnist
The horrific COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic
crisis, which has engulfed a good portion of the world, is
also having a huge impact upon education and, obviously,
athletic programs. Schools have closed in many states and
this means putting the spring season on hold and, in some
cases, perhaps in jeopardy of being cancelled entirely.
Needless to say, most have never faced a situation like this
before. Beyond being tragic, this major health issue is also
highly unique.
While many athletic administrators may have
emergency plans for their various venues in order to
cover a variety of developments and situations, chances
are good that these preparations may not help a lot
concerning the ramifications of a pandemic. Also, you
are basically on the receiving end of many decisions from
governors and state departments of education which are
totally out of your control.
With this in mind, the following are a few thoughts and
considerations which may help with the challenges of
dealing with this critical situation.
* Monitor the latest developments and directives issued
in your state and locality. Even if you are sitting at
home, and this may very well be the situation, it's a vital
step for you to take. It will be up to you to communicate
with and keep your coaches, athletes, and parents
informed. This is an important responsibility.
* Use your existing methods and vehicles for
communicating with the constituents involved in
your program. These might include email distribution
lists, phone blasts, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or
notices posted on your website. Use as many of these
mediums as possible in order to reach the largest and
broadest number of individuals. Make sure that all vital
information is disseminated in a timely fashion which
should help resolve apprehension and perhaps fear.
* Indicate in your messages when you expect to issue
the next update. While you don't have to be specific
down to the precise minute of your next statements, you
don't want apprehension to build. Even if your updates
occur in six to eight hours, everyone knows and can
expect the latest information.
* Remind your coaches that when there is no school,
there will be no practice sessions. While this is a
common expectation for many districts in the event
of inclement weather and natural disasters, this step
is critically important with this pandemic. Social
8 APRIL/MAY 2020
distancing is one of the prescriptive and effective actions
in order to combat this virus.
* Clearly and firmly explain to your coaches that captains
or upperclassmen also cannot gather teammates
for off-campus workouts or practice sessions. Even
though teams should not be using school facilities or
equipment for workouts during this crisis, athletes
should also not meet on their own in a group. In addition
to trying to mitigate the spread of the virus, the risk of
injury during team activities in which a coach is not
present has to be avoided. Without supervision, proper
equipment and well-designed practice sessions, the risk
is much too great and cannot be allowed.
* Submit the proper work orders or requests, or whatever
procedures are employed in your district, and have your
custodians thoroughly clean and disinfect the locker
rooms. This step should also include weight rooms,
equipment and storage areas. During the time in which
schools are closed is an important point to accomplish
this proactive and preventative measure.
* Reach out to colleagues to share and explore best
practices that they may be utilizing during this
challenging time. There may be some beneficial steps
and approaches which have already been instituted
which could also work well in your setting. And it
April/May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April/May 2020
