Monterey district says no to football this spring

The Monterey Peninsula Union School District, which includes Monterey, Seaside and Marina high schools, has announced there will be no football among other sports offered this spring.

Because of guidance released by Governor’s Office Friday, the district said “… sports, including field hockey, football, girls volleyball and water polo, will not be held this year due to a variety of factors, including overall the health and safety of our student-athletes, the brevity of the season, conflicts with Season 2 sports and coach availability.”

The statement was on the MPUSD website in an announcement of an athletics and information meeting to be held Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Information on how to join the meeting can be found at https://the.mpusd.net/athletics1

“We realize this is a disappointment for some student athletes …” the announcement read, “but we are hopeful that they can find a Season 2 sport to participate in as they look forward to education opportunities beyond the classroom walls.”

Season 2 sports that will be offered include track and field, tennis (boys and girls), golf (boys and girls), swimming and diving (outdoor pools only) and sideline cheer. Those sports have been cleared to begin immediately “upon availability of coach and athlete clearance.”

Other Season 2 sports, including baseball, softball, soccer (boys and girls) and lacrosse (girls) are also approved by MPUSD to begin on proposed practice start dates, “assuming practice facilities are sufficient and coach/athlete clearances are made.”

The District also said boys and girls basketball, boys volleyball and wrestling had not yet been approved “due to the case numbers in Monterey County.”