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“Show of force” falls short

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Illinois

* Saturday in Chicago from the Sun-Times…

The Let Us Play protest Saturday at the Thompson Center was intended to be a show of force and numbers to put pressure on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to change his mind and allow all fall sports, especially football, to be played now instead of in the spring.

That isn’t how it turned out. An estimated 400 to 500 people showed up, the overwhelming majority wearing apparel from Lincoln-Way East, Loyola and Batavia.

There wasn’t a single Chicago school with a significant presence. Brother Rice football coach Brian Badke was on hand with three players, and there was a coach or two in attendance from about 10 Public League teams.

* Saturday in Springfield…

The Secretary of State's Police estimate 300 attendees at today's Capitol #letusplay rally. The CS-T says the Chicago rally was a bit of a bust as well https://t.co/n0Xklxql9b Facebook is not real life

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) September 19, 2020

* Sunday in Chicago…

Student athletes pushing for the return of fall sports planned to rally at Soldier Field Sunday before the Bears home opener, but the rally has been canceled.

* Fox Springfield…

“Look around to the other states,” Auburn Wrestling Head Coach Matt Grimm said. “If the other states are doing it, why can’t we? They keep telling us that they’re following the science. Well, they have to follow the science to do the things that they are doing in the other states. Okay, why don’t we get with those people to find out what they’re doing, they’re doing it right and do it here. Our kids need this. Our kids need to be back in school. Our kids need athletics. They need an outlet.”

As my mom might say, “If another governor jumped off the roof, would you follow him?”

* ABC 7 Chicago…

“The one thing you haven’t heard the governor say is that there will absolutely not be additional fall sports,” said Joe Trost, an advocate for student-athletes. “He hasn’t said that everything will be pushed to next spring. There’s been conversations going on behind-the-scenes with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the IHSA Sports Medicine Committee. … They’ve been having communication throughout the week.” […]

IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike spoke with the IHSA Board about its safety plan for those sports, including football, soccer and volleyball, sources have said.

As we discussed last week, there are no ongoing conversations about this topic.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 11:24 am

Comments

As a grad, I am ashamed by and for Loyola

Comment by very old soil Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 11:29 am
Is there a way to find out how much property tax your school districts waste on sports?

Comment by Not a Billionaire Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 11:35 am
Meh. Nothing impressive or moving towards a groundswell.

People want safety, not high school football.

Wait till spring. Seasons are postponed, not canceled.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 11:37 am
Excited for election day when the suburban parents come out to vote.

Comment by An Illinois Man Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 11:51 am
The decision to have kid in a classroom vs. remote learning is not an easy one for any educator. The decision to postpone football until the spring not so much.

Comment by Pundent Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 11:51 am
“Is there a way to find out how much property tax your school districts waste on sports?”

I think that explains a lot about people’s option on sports in general, and why they are using the virus to attack sports. To not even try to create mitigation and protocols and give them a chance to play is unfortunate and lazy.

Nobody is advocating for a return to the old ways. Think of a new way to move forward. I doubt you want to hear that, so bash away.

Comment by HeavyB Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 11:52 am
Our bordering states are safely playing football but Illinois only retort is that we’re following the science. Our HS athletes deserve better.

Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 11:57 am
Early in my teaching-coaching career, I had a dad approach me after practice. “Can you please help me with my son?” he asked. “I think I’m losing him.” I was just a dumb 25 year old kid; I didn’t understand what he was saying.

I failed. Kid ended up in jail.

I posted this story just to say that even though we may disagree about the “when” issue, sports have value for high school students, boys and girls. Coaches can affect teenagers for the positive. Feel free to say we should wait–I respectfully disagree–but don’t feel free to say, since it means nothing to me, it shouldn’t mean anything to anybody else.

Comment by ajjacksson Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 11:58 am
Fair is fair. I love sports. but if kids get back in sports, other extracurricular activities have to be back in play too. drama and dance are, in effect, usually team activities. unless you provide something for all kids, sports cannot take precedence. tax dollars of the public must be used fairly.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:05 pm
“Look around to the other states”

And see higher positivity rates, like most if not all our neighbors.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:08 pm
=== safely===

Define “safely”

The Toronto Blue Jays are playing in Buffalo NY, hockey in Canada at the professional level is being done in a bubble.

Canada is dealing with, as professional sports go, a reality, it’s not safe, unless it’s in a bubble.

Sports are an extra-curricular activity. Functioning societies see sports as a reward… not the necessity

We still have folks think we don’t need masks and “herd immunity”

Play in the spring.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:11 pm
Loyola Academy? You mean the Jesuit school in Wilmette whose website proudly proclaims “Men and Women for Others?” Does that include the elderly and sick who might die if you exacerbate community spread? No?? Maybe we should change that motto to “Men and women for others as long as it doesn’t get in the way of our ability to have fun playing games during a global pandemic, even though it’s killing a bunch of people.” It’s a little long, I confess, but if the shoe fits….

Comment by AndJusticeForAll Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:13 pm
While I’m sure these people are certain it won’t be their child who gets sick, I don’t understand why they’re okay with anyone else catching this because their kid’s team was allowed to play.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:23 pm
AJJack…sad story. Agree about sports. This is vintage JB. Picks a lane for some but not others. Maybe we would have all been safer if JB has postponed the “peaceful protests” in Chicago until the spring.

Comment by PANTHER Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:31 pm
=== Maybe we would have all been safer if JB has postponed the “peaceful protests”…===

You mean like in Springfield where a whopping 300 showed up?

That was a protest. Who stopped them?

Argue like an adult, please.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:33 pm
===Nobody is advocating for a return to the old ways===

Last week, I watched a live broadcast of a plainfield village board meeting where fully half of the trustees were advocating for exactly that, in addition to openly stating the village should turn a blind eye to any business or organization violating the guidelines. Returning to the old ways immediately is the most important issue in these circles. More than one of them was explicitly discussing doing so for high school football.

So yes, there are a lot of people including local elected officials advocating for exactly that near me.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:39 pm
OW…At least 300 people showed up to support their kids so they don’t have to rely on JB apologists like you to help their kids. And realize you don’t have to be the biggest tool in the toolbox everyday.

Comment by PANTHER Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:41 pm
=== At least 300 people showed up to support their kids so they don’t have to rely on JB apologists like you to help their kids.===

Think, just for a moment what you just typed.

Re-read it. Now, again.

Now, read this…

===… like you to help their kids.===

“Look, thanks for the help, but you protecting my child from my bad decision here is out of line”

I mean, in context to dismissing that protecting your child from your choice to infect them is fine with you… you really told me off.

I mean… wow. That’s kinda warped.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:45 pm
Support their kids right to get sick and make others sick? The virus doesn’t care about you as anything but good and replication.But it sure likes the old ways because it has a long way to go and will really get its goals accomplished with the old ways…..

Comment by Not a Billionaire Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:47 pm
“Our bordering states are safely playing football”

no

Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:53 pm
Missouri, Kentucky, & Indiana (among other states) all had games cancelled due to outbreaks. Those outbreaks don’t stay isolated in the locker room. These aren’t NCAA athletes who can be isolated in their dorms, who have professional medical staff access 24 hours a day, and mass testing. These kids get sent home to their parents, put into classrooms, and have PT jobs.

A Friday night game, and it is just a game, shouldn’t cost someone else their health or life.

Comment by AndyJD Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:55 pm
As my mom might say, “If another governor jumped off the roof, would you follow him?”

Right On Target

Comment by Red Ketcher Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:57 pm
=Is there a way to find out how much property tax your school districts waste on sports?=

Maybe do a little research by calling you school district superintendents office or look at their web page. Their annual budget and financial report are posted online. Or just ask them.

Typically is around 1% of the total, not as much as some would like to believe.

300 people are not speaking for the majority. People get distracted by a lot of low priority issues these days.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:04 pm
=People get distracted by a lot of low priority issues these days.=

Amen to that. It’s the Facebook and Twitter effect. Noise gets amplified and if you identify with whatever the grievance is that’s being aired its easy to convince yourself that there’s a movement taking place.

Comment by Pundent Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:12 pm
Folks in the City now how to avoid the Okee Doke

Comment by Someone you should know Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:24 pm
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/09/21/fall-high-school-volleyball-season-to-resume-in-minnesota

Comment by Please Read Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:56 pm
We’re not Minnesota.

The president made clear, he has no responsibility, the calls are up to governors.

I’d take you comparing to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:00 pm
Not interested in politics…

Some more texture:

https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2020/09/how-the-decision-was-made-to-bring-back-high-school-football-in-michigan.html

Comment by Please Read Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:20 pm
We’re not Michigan either.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:22 pm
Pick a name, please.

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:37 pm
Grandfather held my dad out od freshman football At 5′11″ and 122 pounds, it wasn’t safe.

I held my son out of junior high football. Long bones aren’t set at that age. Too risky.

Doctors and coaches ended my college football career because of nerve damage that risked paralysis of the deltoid muscle. Too risky

Playing football with undiagnosed Covid risks permanent heart damage. What parents are taking that risk?

Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 3:20 pm
Have you noticed there are no protests to bring back marching band or theater or choir?

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 3:37 pm
=== Have you noticed there are no protests to bring back marching band or theater or choir?===

I have, as I also recognize Broadway is shut down in its entirety till 2021, and responsible thoughts to concerts, music venues, and here’s the thing, as Covidiots complain that things like high school football shouldn’t be delayed till spring, where are the “hundreds” also saying “we need the fall play”, “we need the marching band competitions”

The sheer selfishness to the thought of exposure isn’t about a greater “good” as they pretend it to be, it *is* a Veruca Salt type of selfishness and lack of concern if compassion to others, art, from marching bands to theatre aren’t on the want for mental health of students, but seemingly these parents need the satisfaction of thinking sports are again the lone great extra curricular and it needs its satisfaction… “now”

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 3:45 pm
Just a little context for show of support: I guess there was a makeup ACT test that day and many student athletes weren’t able to attend.

Comment by Jockey Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 3:56 pm
“Just a little context for show of support: I guess there was a makeup ACT test that day and many student athletes weren’t able to attend.”

And there was a big party two towns over that all the popular kids were invited to but I guess you didn’t hear about it.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:12 pm
===We’re not Minnesota.

Which is good because we have had a huge spike all of a sudden. Given other factors are relatively constant, it seems to be related to return to school and every neighbor, but Canada having a large increases in cases. Of course, we can’t visit Canada right now.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:12 pm
=== Have you noticed there are no protests to bring back marching band or theater or choir?

I’m laughing at this because the band parents in Normal were far more obsessive than the football parents. We sucked at football though. But this proves the point–it’s a shame kids are missing extracurriculars–my kids are too and it is their senior year. However, they are extracurriculars.

If you are worried about ‘losing’ a kid, then I suggest you try interventions like therapy which are more likely to be successful than football. I know a lot of dudes who played football and are not great human beings.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:16 pm
They are promoting a protest in Naperville that is supposed to start in about an hour. Be interesting to see how many show up for that. The one HS football coach I follow on twitter has been retweeting this stuff.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:24 pm
Dear anonymous, an early restart is just going to make the official shortage worse.

Feel free to sign up

https://www.ihsa.org/Officials/How-to-Become-a-Licensed-Official

Comment by OneMan Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:33 pm
1) As others have pointed out, this isn’t a let us play rally, it’s let us play NOW. There isn’t a single HS sport that has been cancelled in Illinois for the 20-21 season so this is all just whining about not getting their way.
2) Skeptic & Oswego Willy are exactly right, people forget that athletes aren’t the only ones affected. The arts are also put on hold and honestly I’m not sure you’re going to see band concerts, choir concerts, musicals or plays at all this school year. I think any sort of May concerts will be close to a miracle. But they’re not out complaining about it. At least football has a season scheduled.
C 3) If FB wants to play so bad, maybe there should be some new rules. Anybody on the sidelines not following protocols, unsportsmanlike conduct 15 yard penalty. IHSA requires all schools to strictly enforce protocols with all fans, players, coaches, etc. with the penalties of forfeiting the season or IHSA membership at risk for blatant and repeat violators. That goes for all sports, there’s no right to being in the IHSA. If IHSA can’t or won’t be strict with schools then the State should then step in and shut down the sport(s).
4) Like OneMan mentioned, has anybody checked to see if there would be enough officials for a FB season? Considering the demographics of officials skew to the higher risk categories I don’t know how many would be board with working this season.
5) Jockey, the word isn’t “weren’t” able to attend, it’s refused or chose not to attend. Promoting your own interests isn’t a reason for skipping the ACTs.

Comment by MyTwoCents Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 5:04 pm
==as Covidiots complain that things like high school football shouldn’t be delayed till spring==

At this rate I would not be surprised if HS football still won’t be safe and ready to be played in spring. If it isn’t, then so be it.

Comment by Chatham Resident Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 6:46 pm