An hours-long conference call last week between the state’s 10 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) section commissioners and executive director ended with a heart-breaking announcement for thousands of prep athletes in the state.
The group declared an end to all high school spring sports, including playoffs, because of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the nation.
The decision was especially emotional for senior athletes, 95 percent of whom will not compete at the university level and saw their careers come to an abrupt end.
“The official cancellation of spring sports was a pretty tragic piece of news for me to deliver, especially to our seniors,” said Alex Van Heuven, PLHS athletic director. “I think it is better to know than hold everyone in limbo.” Van Heuven said 540 students were on rosters of spring teams, including 200 alone in track and field. She listed badminton, boys golf, boys volleyball, boys tennis, boys and girls lacrosse, baseball, softball, boys and girls swimming and diving and stunt cheer as other affected sports. 
CIF executive director Ron Nocetti released a short statement that read, in part, “Based on the recent statements issued by Gov. Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond regarding schools turning to distance learning for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, the CIF does not see an avenue for the spring sports season to continue.”
“We understand this is disappointing for everyone involved in education-based athletics and empathize with our student-athletes and all who are impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. As always, our top priority is everyone’s ongoing health and safety during this challenging time,” Nocetti added.
Pointer athletes and coaches understood the reason for the CIF’s action but still expressed sadness as reality set in.
“First and foremost, I feel really, really bad for all the seniors,” said Pointer head varsity baseball coach Jeff Solis. “For all the players to have their season cut short and not get to compete and see how far they could go in playoffs has got to be frustrating for them just like it is for the coaches.”
Solis noted the Pointer baseball program, top to bottom, maybe at its strongest position ever with the varsity sporting a 6-1 record complemented by strong junior varsity and freshman programs.
“It’s starting to sink in,” said senior baseball player RJ LaRocco, who received a text from Solis informing him of the situation. “I was pretty bummed when I read it. Once they started pushing the date back for school starting, I had a gut feeling this would happen. All I wanted was to play my senior season of ball.”
LaRocco’s career, however, will continue. He will be playing Div. III baseball for Webster University in St. Louis.
Other Pointer teams with available results include boys lacrosse (6-0), boys tennis (3-3), girls lacrosse (2-1) and girls softball (2-3).
CIF San Diego section commissioner Jerry Schniepp, who is retiring in July, issued a heartfelt open letter to the young athletes.
 
“I recognize that this is devastating news. I especially feel for the seniors on teams that will not be able to compete for their schools again. Frustration, confusion, and sadness are normal emotions in this abnormal time and although I hope that you comprehend the gravity of our situation as a city, state, and country, it is also normal to feel bad for yourself. It’s okay to feel that,” Schniepp wrote.
Schniepp also noted that many possible ways to continue competition were considered before cancellation became the only option.
“The CIFSDS held out hope and worked on plans for some semblance of a season for as long as we could. We contemplated and drafted different scenarios where we would have shortened seasons, modified schedules with no playoffs and games with no spectators,” he revealed. But these alternatives died when it was announced schools would not re-open.
Schniepp urged student-athletes to rely on lessons learned in sports:
“But remember this: athletes understand adversity. You’ve all had to get past injuries, tough losses, and failure. You’ve doubted yourself when things haven’t gone your way. Yet you still showed up for practice the next day.
“As an athlete, you are better equipped to handle this tough time than most. You’ve dealt with difficult situations and have overcome them. Remember the lessons that you’ve learned in sports and use them. Just as you have done as part of a team, we now must battle through this, stick together and do our part.”