The Becker Activities Department and several coaches reacted to last week’s MSHSL decision regarding the school sports fall season.

With volleyball and football being postponed to a new season to start in the early spring, there are still many unknowns, according to volleyball coach Greg Lynch.

“There are a lot of questions about how the move will affect the logistics of the school season, how a fall practice season will work, and how the JO (Junior Olympic) season will likely need to change,” said Lynch, who said he is not necessarily opposed to the move.  “In the end, the players and I are happy that we will get to have a season.”

For other sports, the fall seasons remain intact albeit with some significant modifications.

For the swimming and diving team, there was concern going into Tuesday’s meeting because their season is scheduled to start in less than two weeks.

Head coach Tina Tamm is just relieved to have a plan in place to move forward.

“I’m really glad they have decided to let us have our season,” said Tamm.  “It will look very different, but at least we get to be in the pool.”

Boys cross country coach Dustin Weege had similar sentiments as he prepares his runners for competition.

“We are excited to be able to compete this fall and will continue to run this race with endurance,” said Weege.  “The world has changed from the past, but we will work to place one foot in front of the other and move onward step by step and navigate this tricky, uncharted terrain.”

Weege said he is most excited to “celebrate this opportunity with this special group of runners.”

Boys and girls soccer is another sport that was considered medium risk by the MSHSL, but was ultimately given the green light for fall participation.

For head boys coach Nick Crowley, the decision was welcomed in the sense of having direction to move forward.

“The entire summer, players and parents were asking what would happen in the fall . . . well, now we know,” said Crowley.  “I think we have to take the season in stride, do what we need to do to allow us to play, and just be grateful that we are able to play and have a season.”

The person in charge of putting it all together at the local level will be Activities Director Dave Niemi, as he and assistant Jesse O’Neill will be busy making preparations on the fly.  There are still many questions to be answered and Niemi expects additional guidance from the MSHSL in the coming days and weeks.  But at least there is a starting point for the duo as they gear up to make adjustments to schedules and procedures.  Niemi says there is a plan in place to keep athletes and parents informed as decisions are made.

“We are excited to have an opportunity for our Becker students to compete this school year,” said Niemi.  “It may look different than it has in the past and any adjustments made may be difficult to understand for some, but the MSHSL feels this is the best case scenario for our students, coaches and spectators.  We, as a MSHSL member school, will be supportive of this decision and will do our best to make this year a great one for our student athletes.”