Caprock head football coach Dan Sherwood was one of many coaches to jump on social media and send athletes positive encouragement Monday while school’s are closed due to the coronavirus. [Provided photo]
It’s an extremely tough time for everyone across the globe dealing with the scary conditions the coronavirus has brought over the past couple of months.
As of right now, the spreading of COVD-19, has put all sports at a stand still, and professional, college and high school sports are in uncharted waters.
The University Interscholastic League has suspended school’s with hopes of reconvening at the earliest by April 3, per Texas Governor Greg Abbott. All UIL athletic events have suspended until May 4.
So what do coaches do in the mean time to keep in touch with their student-athletes? How will athletes be able to workout for their certain sport when things do get back to normal?
Those questions look to be answered. Panhandle head football coach and athletic director, Dane Ashley, started posting workouts for his student-athletes via his Twitter account last week.
On Monday, a plethora of coaches back from spring break took to their twitter accounts, sending positive vibes to their athletes to make sure a routine was in place.
“It’s amazing with all the technology we have now,” Caprock head football coach Dan Sherwood said. “We have the help of Google to give them workouts and daily challenges. We stay in contact on a daily basis because we care about these kids like of their our own. Social media has given us a platform, and I want these guys to see that us coaches are also being disciplined and staying in shape.”
Sherwood was one a handful of coaches and athletic directors to jump on Twitter and make sure to send athletes a message.
Canyon football coach Blake Bryant, Borger football coach Duane Toliver, and River Road football coach and athletic director Bryan Welps also sent passionate messages to their athletes.
“Staying involved is everything right now,” Bryant said. “We want to touch base with our guys everyday and let them know we love and care about them. I want them to understand with adversity comes opportunity. Kids are resilient, we all talk about these kids today, but they are incredible. They have special things inside them and this is a time to show us.”
Welps echoed Bryant’s comment.
“I want my athletes to have a peace during this odd time,” Welps said. “We want them to know we are there for them, and we want to make sure they all calm down some. We want them to know we’re going to be there to talk to them.”
Athletes have taken notice. Welps son, Lance, a soon-to-be senior quarterback at River Road has taken the job upon himself to help lead his teammates. He’s also thanks all coaches for making this strange time, a little calmer.
“When I see what the coaches are doing, I feel like they are committed to programs,” Lance said. “It makes us want to work harder for them. We’re taking it serious. We have a group chat and we all are focused on getting better.”
Canyon soon-to-be senior wide receiver Jack McKay agreed.
“We appreciate the coaches more than they know,” McKay said. “It’s a chaotic time, and they have their own families to deal with, but they take time to spend on us. That makes myself and my teammates step up and want to be leaders for them.”