MSHSL announces cancellation of spring sports season due to COVID-19
The Minnesota State High School League announced Thursday that the spring high school activities season has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The news comes after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced that schools throughout the state will remain closed for a remainder of the academic school year, continuing distance learning in a virtual format.
“This difficult decision was one we had hoped we would not need to make.” MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens said in a statement released by MSHSL. “Our activities and athletics offer so much to so many students and their school communities, and we thank all who work to provide these amazing opportunities for students.
"We also value the incredible benefits of strong and supportive connections between students and their coaches and advisors, and our hope is that these will continue even during this time when they are not able to participate or meet face to face."
The ultimate decision to cancel the spring sports season comes after Gov. Walz initiated a Stay At Home order in March that was extended to go into May in the state of Minnesota. That initially put the spring sports season on hold, but now has brought it to a conclusion before it could begin.
"It absolutely breaks my heart to know that our players will not be able to fulfill the goals set out to accomplish for what was going to be a very memorable season. No words can describe how saddened I am for our seniors," ROCORI head coach Jeff Illies said. "I am a firm believer that every curve ball that life throws at you will only make you stronger in the long run. I have never in my tenure as a head coach at ROCORI high school seen a group of individuals dedicate themselves like our team has in continuing the tradition of excellence that ROCORI baseball is. From this day forward, we will use this year's team as a model of commitment and dedication to what it takes to be an elite program.
"Although the record books may not show it, in the ROCORI community's eyes, the 2020 ROCORI baseball team is a state championship team. This year's team will forever be in the mix as one of the greatest teams to have ever come through our historic program."
