High school athletic directors calm coaches, players, parents through pandemic layoffs

January 21, 2021

By Paul McMullan/Catholic Review

Photo: Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff

In addition to a desktop computer in his office, a laptop at home, an iPad, smartphone and multiple weather apps, Kraig Loovis brings another digital tool to his job as athletic director for Mount St. Joseph High School: COVID-19 metrics.

Pete Strickland has the same position at St. John’s Catholic Prep (SJCP) in Buckeystown. Asked about the oddest thing he’s seen during the coronavirus pandemic, he thought back to last fall, when the otherwise fine weather the region experienced was disrupted by good, old-fashioned rainout in girls’ soccer.

While teachers lead instruction for students in classrooms and at home, interscholastic sports do not translate to Zoom. Coaches and athletes pine over lost seasons; Loovis, Strickland and their peers at 16 other Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore guide them with their attitude and patience.

“The kids want to get after it,” Loovis said. “The coaches want to get after it. It’s frustrating for parents, who want to see their sons have the sport that’s been a big part of their lives.”

Full story at CatholicReview.org