Sports in 2020
(Photo by Bill Higgins)

This past week High School volleyball started its season here in Texas. While players, coaches, parents and sports journalists (like myself) are excited to be back at the stadium, its important to know something. Sports in 2020 is going to look a lot different than it did in the past.

We all should know this already. Our lives have been drastically changed to due the virus that shall not-be-named. We all know someone who has been effected by this situation. Whether its being infected by the virus or losing a job the impact has been felt all over the country. While sports has been on a hiatus, some people have had to make a game of trying to find toilet paper before their last roll runs out.

While professional sports has been back for several weeks now, high school sports is trying to get started. In the same week that two of the major five college conferences announced they would not be playing sports this fall, volleyball has opened their doors to the fans.

Don’t get me wrong, things are still different. At the local game I went to, there was a big UIL sign on the front door outlining rules and policies. A sign reminding people that masks must be warn hangs prominently as you enter. A temperature check is done at the door. Areas around the scoring table were roped off to prohibit people from walking up.

All of these things were expected due to the virus that shall not-be-named. These are all practices we’ve seen at local grocery stores, places of business and other places of gathering. It was still weird to see at first. Did it effect me at all? No. I sat in a little corner of the gym watching the game. I sat there taking notes and tweeting about the game just like I would have if it was 2019 or 2018.

Sports are back and I hope its here to stay. The first part is thanks to schools and the UIL. The second part is up to us in doing our part to help slow the spread of Cov….oh I almost did it. To help top the spread of the virus. Volleyball is here. Football starts up in a few weeks. Sports are back. Just know it may look a little different than what you’re used to.