Gary Schell

Stanley

This is my first ever “letter to the editor.” I’ve coached Boys Golf (7-12), Football (7-8), Girls and Boys Track (7-8), Boys and Girls Basketball (7-12) at various times for 37 years. My concern is the lack of a secondary plan when weather becomes a main factor at a State-sponsored event.

In the last two-plus weeks the North Dakota High School Activities Association “forced” North Dakota Boys and Girls athletes to perform during adverse weather in Bismarck (State A & B Track), in Carrington (State B Boys Golf) and in Grand Forks (State A Boys Golf).

The weather forecasts are usually available 7-10 days in advance on any local weather channel or multiple sites on the internet. When this is available to any logical person, you change your plans accordingly. But this doesn’t seem to be the case with the NDHSAA. I’m sure the communities mentioned above put on great events considering the conditions. But why is there no “Plan B” when adverse weather is forecasted? I feel that the athletes, parents, grandparents, siblings, coaches and anyone else who attended these events deserve better from the NDHSAA.

Next week the North Dakota Trap Shooting State Tournament (Boys and Girls) competition is to be held with over 1,000 competitors expected. Will they be expected to compete during a rainfall event or 40-50 mph winds? I hope not. But guess what, the weather forecast looks promising for their competition.

Hopefully the NDHSAA in the future checks the weather forecasts and always has a “Plan B” available. As for the A & B Boys Golf and A & B Boys and Girls Track programs for the 2024 season, you let them down.