An email sent to Texas high school athletic directors and coaches from the UIL details a plan for allowing schools to begin limited summer strength and conditioning programs starting June 8.

Since April 17, all UIL sports have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But this announcement on Tuesday from the UIL is a step in the right direction for sports returning in the fall, especially high school football. 600 ESPN El Paso obtained the email sent out to coaches:

“UIL is aware of Governor Abbott’s May 18 announcement and is actively working with appropriate state officials to allow schools to begin limited summer strength and conditioning and marching band activities on June 8, 2020. As soon as the details of that plan are finalized, UIL will release them to schools to allow time to plan and prepare for bringing students back to campus for these purposes," Susan Elza, UIL Director of Athletics, wrote in a statement.

On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the second phase in reopening Texas, allowing both professional and youth sports to return without fans on May 31.

High school athletics has been in limbo since the UIL suspended all sports on March 12 because of the pandemic. There was optimism that the sports could return in late May but they were outright canceled for the rest of the academic year in late April.

Coaches have been implementing virtual workouts and meetings since the pandemic. Athletic directors and coaches speak regularly in El Paso to share different ways coaches have worked with student-athletes during this time. But everyone across Texas is under a wait-and-see approach.

Having more time to have smaller group strength and conditioning programs gives high school coaches time to get everyone ready for the start of the season. Last week, the schedules were released for fall sports like varsity football.

The El Paso high school football season is set to start on Thursday, Aug. 27.

 

 

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