LYNN — Lynn public school athletic directors, coaches, players and parents were given the news Wednesday afternoon they’ve been waiting to hear for months, when city officials gave Lynn English, Lynn Classical and Lynn Tech the go-ahead to start athletics again, with practices beginning next week.
The schools will still not be able to play games without the approval of the Lynn School Committee, which will vote on the matter at its meeting on February 25.
While it is only the first step in the process of returning to actual games, the decision was met with praise from all levels on Wednesday.
“I’m happy for the kids above all,” said English Athletic Director Dick Newton. “This kind of alleviates a lot of the worries that they’ve all had over the past few months and it gives us a path to move forward. We want to thank (Lynn) Mayor (Thomas M.) McGee and (Lynn Public Health Director) Michele Desmarais for how accommodating they’ve been during our meetings and throughout the process.”
“This is just a great opportunity for us to start getting everything back on track,” said Tech Athletic Director Adolph Graciale. “We’ve had so many people working to try and get these kids back out there. From Mayor McGee to the Board of Health to (Lynn Superintendent) Dr. (Patrick) Tutwiler to (Lynn Tech Principal) Carissa Karakaedos, there have been so many people in our corner and we want to thank them all for their support.”
“It’s been such a long road to get to this point, and this just gives everyone a ray of hope,” said Classical Athletic Director Bill Devin. “We have so many people to thank who have helped us along the way, including the (Greater Boston League) and all of the administrators in the city, the Board of Health and everyone who supported us along the way. We’re thrilled to get started.”
Last Friday, Devin and Newton met with GBL school superintendents, principals, athletic directors, health officials and even city mayors via Zoom to discuss a path forward for returning to sports. After lobbying for a safe return to play for months, things have finally begun to move in the right direction after a downward trend in terms of COVID-19 case numbers in the city.
Since the Lynn Public Schools were unable to compete this past fall, as well as this winter, English and Classical were already making plans to play their fall and winter sports against GBL teams. The schools will officially join the GBL in the fall 2021 season.
In the GBL, boys hockey, boys and girls basketball and swimming programs have been allowed to hold preseason activities and practices under the oversight of individual athletic directors since the beginning of February. Those sports can schedule league games from March 1 to April 10, provided they are given approval by their respective school committees.
During the same period of March 1 to April 10, GBL schools will offer preseason activities for the “Fall Sports II” season. The league plans to play boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball, golf, cross-country, field hockey, and football during the “Fall Sports II” period from April 12 to May 15. The GBL, and the Lynn schools, postponed many of those sports last fall.
Spring sports (tennis, boys and girls lacrosse, outdoor track, boys volleyball, baseball, softball, and crew) will hold their preseason during the “Fall Sports II” period and can then schedule competitions from May 17 to July 3 — the final date allowed for the spring season under the adjusted MIAA calendar.
If given the go-ahead, Classical and English will join the GBL for this new athletic schedule and then move right into the fall season later this year.
For Tech, which competes in the Commonwealth Athletic Conference, things are going to look a little different. Since the other CAC schools did decide to move forward with their winter season this year, the opportunity for the Tigers to play winter sports has passed. Tech will be starting athletics with the “Fall Sports II” season — playing football, boys and girls soccer, volleyball and swimming.
Area coaches were thrilled to hear the news of a return to sports, with many saying they can’t wait to get back to work with their teams.
“It’s incredibly exciting to hear this news,” said English boys basketball coach Antonio Anderson, who hasn’t met with his team on the court since they were on the verge of a second straight state championship last March. “The kids have been patient, the coaches have been patient, and the administrators have been patient. We know it’s a tough job to make sure everyone is safe while still wanting to see these kids play sports again. We’re just incredibly grateful for the opportunity to get out there and play again, and I know our kids are going to go above and beyond to make sure they follow the protocols and make the most out of this.”
“This is going to be big for the city of Lynn and it’s a great thing for these student-athletes,” said Tech football coach James Runner. “The No. 1 thing is, and will remain, the health and safety of everyone involved and we need to remain focused on that, but we’re also excited that these kids are going to be able to get out and experience some fresh air and competition again.”
The Lynn School Committee will hold its vote on whether to allow Lynn schools to start playing games during its next meeting on February 25.