High school sporting events for the fall remains a concern on how they will happen, if they will happen, and who will actually get to watch.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association says, yes they will happen, “but it will be at the discretion of the host school with guidance from local health officials and in accordance with the governor’s stage 4.5”.

What does this essentially mean? To quote local sports writer Ken Fillmore, “The IHSAA is leaving up to local school districts”, which potentially puts local schools and athletic departments “to be improperly portrayed as the bad guys”.

Among the current IHSAA regulations: anyone not actively participating in the event should wear a mask, and schools can sell concessions but pre-packaged items are suggested.

The guide allows host schools to determine their own attendance policies, but bleacher capacity will be limited to 50 percent and cannot exceed more than 250 people per set of bleachers.

Schools also must limit areas where people might congregate, the IHSAA said.

In Elkhart County Indiana, most of the public schools made a decision Thursday to cancel fall sports altogether. Such decisions have left the East Noble football team looking for an opponent for week two as Northwood High School has suspended their football season.

On the upside high school fall sports back to practice plans have went smoothly at Angola, Fremont, Hamilton, and Prairie Heights. Athletic Directors and coaches at each of those schools have worked creatively and strategically to make things as safe as possible for student athletes.

Whether you live locally in Steuben County or somewhere else, please remember this about the job your school leaders, athletic directors, and coaches are doing right now. “Major challenges, loss of normalcy, uncertainty, and even unanswered prayers are all involved in these decisions. We are all being tested. Character is both developed and revealed when we are tested. How adults respond to these tests will provide a path for the young people who are counting on them. They are watching and learning from us right now” (Proactive Coaching).

Live and lead with strength and honor.