Fall sports are once again fast approaching at Mount Greylock, but this year may look a bit different than seasons past. Due to COVID-19, many athletes are facing seasons dictated by return to play guidelines implemented to ensure the safety of athletes and coaches

Mount Greylock athletic director Lindsey von Holtz said, “I was pushing hard to put on some form of a competitive season.” However, the wish to have a competitive fall season for all programs was outweighed by the safety concerns brought on by the ongoing pandemic. 

In order to comply with guidelines announced  by both the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), many higher risk sports, including the soccer, football, volleyball, and unified basketball teams will be limited to a six week practice program for the fall season. There are plans to have a competitive season known as  “fall two” in the late winter months of 2021. 

The practice program is set to start on Monday, September 21st. Athletes will be separated into pods of 5-10 students to ensure social distancing and will not interact with other pods to limit 

contact. 

Golf and cross country will be the only remaining teams that are allowed to participate in a competitive fall season, though they will only compete against other Berkshire County schools. 

With limited contact and a greater distance between the individual athletes, the two sports are at a lower risk for spreading the virus. Both sports are more conducive to adapt to the guidelines set forth by the EEA and MIAA. 

Although many athletes may feel disappointed by this decision, there will still be opportunities to compete at a high level. Mount Greylock boy’s soccer coach Blair Dils said, “The BCYSL (Berkshire County Youth Soccer League) is planning to form a league for high school players this fall using the modified rules for play.” This league will provide players with a chance to compete against other towns in the county, unrelated to any highschool programs. 

Despite it’s non-traditional nature, teams will still be reuniting for a season fall with the hopes of a competitive one later on in the academic year.