Local/KSD

A KSD Zoom meeting discussing the impact of COVID-19 on spring sports was held Wednesday, April 22. This discussion touched on concerns held by some of the KSD community, including shifts regarding summer and fall programming. TKC reached out to Dr. Michael Havener, KHS principal, and Corey Nesslage, athletics director, to learn more regarding any changes.

As of April 27, summer camp registration is closed. Administration still hopes to have summer camps, but this depends on safety concerns. There has also been discussion surrounding the idea of  possibly holding a game between WGHS and KHS teams to play one last time, but it is not sure what teams this may apply to. According to Havener, this idea is not definite, and not enough conversations have occurred with Webster or the Board of Education to confirm this will happen. 

Decisions regarding seniors playing in the summer are indefinite, and largely depend on the stay-at-home order. The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) is working to change rules regarding summer limits on sports. If some sort of summer activity is held, it is up to each sport teams’ discretion. KHS administration is not certain of how many, if any, spring sports at KHS will offer a summer activity option. However, according to Havener, MSHSAA insurance does not offer catastrophic insurance for the seniors, which covers injuries. If seniors were to play, Havener wants to make sure athletes are not over-exerting themselves, and therefore does not find it fair to expect to play more than 20 days in each sport. 

Fall eligibility has also been brought into discussion. According to Havener, he wants students to finish strong, and is not focusing on the possibility of failure. The eligibility requirements by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for current seniors intending to play at a college level have been altered, but everyone else is held to the previous standard.