Despite all the chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Perry High School Athletic Department was able to include some kind of normal by successfully having a summer sports season. 

 

The Perry baseball and softball teams recently wrapped up their respective years in the postseason, which several teams from around the state were unable to do due to the virus. With that said, the season did look very different compared to years past. Several measures were taken to keep safety of student-athletes, coaches, and attendees in mind including social distancing at practices and games, sanitizing of equipment, and an abbreviated competitive season. Between the baseball and softball program, Perry was able to play 35 games throughout the four week season compared to 53 in a full season last year. 

 

Perry Activities Director Scott Pierce says while he’s grateful nobody within the athletic program tested positive for COVID-19, he acknowledges that an outbreak could have happened to any school, “I’m extremely happy. At the same time, I can’t put it on other schools to say, ‘Oh you weren’t doing something right,’ because that’s not the case at all. There’s so many factors into it that the blame is definitely not on other schools. But as far as following what we were told, doing what we can to ensure the safety, I was super proud of our coaches for how they stepped up, even our players at times. I think as a district, we’re all very happy we got to start [the season] and finished all the way through it with no hiccups or anything.”

 

Pierce adds that it’s been an unconventional first sports season as Perry Activities Director. He transitioned into the role July 1st, replacing Tom Lipovac who had been with the District since 1977.