Athletes are ready to get rolling, finally!

by admin

The day so many of our high school athletes, and our coaches have looked forward to for so many months now is finally upon us. High school sports facilities can open back up for athletes on Monday, June 8.

Spring drills were cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic which effectively shut down virtually everything going on in the country. As part of the slow, opening back up process, Governor Abbott has determined that it is now safe for our athletes to get back to work doing those things they love. Texas University Interscholastic League agreed, so here we are, ready to get pumped and buff and ready for whatever fall may bring in the way of sports.

Brownfield ISD Athletic Director Aarrhon Flores is ready to get after it. “We had made so much progress in the Spring and then the Coronavirus hit. So, we have lots of ground to make up in just a few short months.”

In a letter sent out to athletes from the BISD Athletic Department, it states that Summer Workouts will begin on Monday, June 8 and will continue through July 16. Workouts will be Monday – Thursday each week, with a few days off here and there.

High School athletes will workout from 7 – 8:45 a.m. and Middle School athletes will workout from 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Flores stated in the letter that there are five weeks of workout plans set up. “It is very important that you attend these workouts because it will keep you in shape and get you ready for fall. The Brownfield coaches will be running the summer workout program and we expect every female and male athlete to be a part of these workouts.”

Included in the summer workout program will be weight lifting, plyometric training, cardio, flexibility training and speed/agility training. “All these workouts combined will get you jumping higher, make you quicker, and give you more endurance and strength which will lead you to be a better athlete and competitor,” stated Flores in the letter.

But, as with all things, there are a new set of rules and guidelines that must be followed:

Attendance is optional, but encouraged. Attendance records will be kept.

Students will not have access to the locker rooms or showers. Students should report in proper workout gear, as there will be no place to change.

During workouts, there must be one staff member per 20 students to ensure proper social distancing, hygiene and safety measures are being followed.

There will be hand washing/sanitizing stations available.

All surface areas must be disinfected thoroughly throughout the workout and afterwards.

No towels will be shared.

No shared water or food.

Flores stated that the athletes will be divided up into groups on their first day and that will be their group throughout the summer workout time. Groups will be no more than 10 on inside work and no more than 15 on outside drills. “All our weight stations have been spaced out throughout the facility to be in compliance,” stated Flores. “We will have sanitizer stations around and will do our best to keep everything done according to the guidelines. Our coaches have been working hard on making sure we are ready.”

On Monday, participating athletes can plan on being taught what the new rules are and how things are going to work for the summer. Then be ready to go to work.

“This has all been in the works for weeks. We have sanitizer spray guns to go over the weights between individuals and groups. We will all be learning a new normal but we know that everything we have been through and overcome will all help to make us stronger,” stated Flores.

Flores said, “These kids have been through a lot of negative. You look on social media. It is all negative. These guys need something to give them hope that it is all going to get better and we know being able to get together in the weight room and work out will give them that distraction they need. We will get their bodies and their brains occupied and we will get everyone back on track.”

Flores also stated that he knew many of the BISD athletes have been working out during the quarantine time. “I have had guys ask if they could borrow weights or come use my personal workout equipment. They are looking for ways to stay active. I am hoping that being back in the Field House and being together is going to keep us bonded, as a team. I am hoping that we can just pick up where we left off on what we have been teaching about being a team and being united.”

Coaches are trained to coach, obviously, and they have all missed their jobs and missed the kids. “We are ready to see the kids. We are ready to get back to having those relationships that go so much further than just the field. We are in the business of building men and women who will make a difference in the world and it is time to get back to it,” stated Flores.

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