My perspective has no bearing, but many folks have reached out and asked. I am a part-time scribe who coaches high school basketball. PERIOD. And I have been back and forth on this issue for several weeks now.

The Patriot League — Bucknell — postponed ALL FALL sports back in July. The PSAC — Bloomsburg, Lock Haven & Mansfield — did the same. The Middle Atlantic Conference — Wilkes, Kings & Lycoming — pulled the plug as well. Susquehanna and Penn College followed suit. NO MORE SPORTS IN 2020. Sure. People complained. Unfortunate, but it was the ‘right’ move. These decisions were made by the trusted presidents of each institution within their respective athletic conferences. Dr. Tracht and Dr. Gilmor made these tough calls. They never damned Governor Wolf. Hmm. Breaking news. The BIG 10 —Penn State — just joined the mix. Sorry Blue and White fans. No tailgates.

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) is a governing body of high school sports for the Commonwealth. They make the rules. PERIOD. Today’s response was another embarrassment. They claim they were totally blindsided with Governor Tom’s RECOMMENDATIONS. The PIAA then ran for the hills and postponed their verdict for another two weeks. The plot thickens.

“The PIAA Board of Directors met today to review Governor Wolf’s statement strongly recommending no interscholastic and recreational sports until January 1st. As we have noted, our member schools have worked diligently to develop health and safety plans in accordance with the Department of Health and Department of Education recommendations to allow students to safely return. The PIAA is asking the Governor, along with the Departments of Health and Education, to partner with us and work collaboratively to further discuss fall sports. We are also seeking insight from the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It is clear to PIAA, the unintended consequences of cancelling fall sports need to be further reviewed. PIAA has worked diligently with its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. On August 21st the Board will reconvene. Mandatory fall sports activities are paused for a two-week period.”

Long story short. The PIAA needs major help and is looking for someone else to blame. Local districts need a plan NOW. A decision needs to be made. Yes or no. It’s that simple boys and girls. Personally, I don’t think it’s possible. SERIOUSLY. How can we justify not going back to school full-time but it’s OK to play sports? My son can only attend class two days a week, but it’s okay to send the high school football team to Nanticoke. IT HURTS ME TO SAY THIS.

I am doing my best to look at the big picture folks. Yes. I feel ABSOLUTELY terrible for our STUDENT athletes. Hopefully, we will do what’s best for our kids. BUT NO POLITICS. The PIAA is the governing body and they need to make the call. Good lord. Man up Doc. Don’t rely on Governor Tom. Cheers.