UIL activities canceled amidst coronavirus concerns

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

After two games of a six-game tournament for the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs’ baseball team, the University Interscholastic League put a halt to all UIL activities until at least March 29 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and precautions pertaining to it. 

“We are urging our member schools and their communities to stay vigilant and take every possible precaution to remain safe and healthy,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt in a press release on Friday. “We understand there is a lot of uncertainty during this unprecedented time. Please know UIL leadership is working diligently to adjust to this rapidly evolving situation and will share updates as soon as possible.”

The UIL added that rehearsals and practices may be held at the discretion of each school district. 

Some changes have already been made to the district certification for soccer, golf and tennis. 

The Lady Dawgs’ soccer home finale against Shoemaker set for tonight and the season finale at Temple has postponed with the district certification pushed back until April 11 with the playoff rounds being pushed back as well with the state championship moved to April 29-May 2. Golf district certification will now be April 14 but there are no changes to the playoff structure.

Track and field has no changes, however, the District and Area meets can be combined to the area meet deadline. 

The Bulldawgs and Lady Dawgs were set to compete Thursday in the Joshua Relays but it will also be postponed or cancelled. The District 12-6A Track and Field meet is slated for March 30 and April 1 at Midway High School.

No changes have yet been made to the softball and baseball certifications, but it is a fluid situation and could change at any time. Visit https://www.uiltexas.org/athletics/covid-19-information for up-to-date information.

The boys’ soccer games at Shoemaker and home finale against Temple will also be rescheduled.

Once activities resume, UIL will allow for an exception to the limitations for varsity district contests in soccer, tennis, softball and baseball; meaning more than two games can be played in a calendar week.

The Lady Dawgs’ softball team was already off until March 20 due to Spring Break but their games against Harker Heights on Friday, Shoemaker on Saturday, Temple next Tuesday and Belton next Friday will have to rescheduled. The next scheduled game after the suspension is Tuesday, March 31 at home against Killeen.

The Bulldawgs’ baseball team was in the midst of the Central Texas Invitational Baseball Tournament when play was halted.

The Dawgs suffered a pair of one-run losses to open the tournament on Thursday before the UIL called a halt to all sanctioned events on Friday.

The Bulldawgs were scheduled to face Ellison on the road tonight before hosting Midway on Friday, traveling to Temple on Saturday, hosting Belton on Tuesday and traveling to Killeen to take on the Roos next Friday. 

The next scheduled game for Dawgs’ baseball is Tuesday, March 31 at Killeen Shoemaker.

The Bulldawgs’ and Lady Dawgs’ basketball banquet set for Monday, March 23 will also be postponed to a later date to be determined.

In additional to UIL athletics being postponed, most organized sports are following suit including the NBA, MLB, NHL, XFL and collegiate sports.