Our family has always been a fan of UUSD football games. Long before our children were high school age, we would attend the games. It was the thing to do in small-town Ukiah on a Friday night. Witnessing the enthusiasm of students and parents when we first moved here made us feel a part of our new community. Getting hot chocolate and snacks at the Lions Club Snack Bar was a part of the evening's enjoyment. Then there were the halftime activities which were always special. Watching the band march in and enjoying their music under the direction of Roland Nielson was a great addition to the entertainment of the football game.  Then as our children and our grandchildren got older and participated in many sports, we added baseball, soccer, swimming, wrestling, track, and basketball to the sports events and tournaments we attended.

So, this year when UUSD was forced to forego school as usual, including all sports programs, we were devastated. First for the students who were missing out on in-person contact with teachers, administrators, and other students, but also for the camaraderie, school spirit, and excitement of extracurricular activities that students could not experience. It was also evident that our entire community was missing out on that special small-town experience which school sports provide.

However, thanks to the efforts of UUSD administration, coaches, teachers, and community, we have been able to return to in-person classes and to modified sports programs. Much effort has been put into making this modified sports program happen.  Students must be tested for COVID, daily for indoor sports, and weekly for outdoor sports. Strict protocols are in place with masks required - only family members may attend events and seating is carefully controlled.  The efforts are greatly appreciated.

Ukiah High Athletic Director Stephen Summers reports that 322 students have participated in this condensed sports program in the following sports: volleyball, track and field, swim and dive, softball, soccer, wrestling, tennis, basketball, football, golf, and baseball. He says the coaches and many school personnel have worked tirelessly to make this happen. Nine to ten district and high school staff members have been at practices to do the required Covid testing. Mr. Summers says that coaches have been dedicated to doing whatever is necessary so that students could return to sports.

Jonathan Dewey, UHS football coach, said that students were excited to be on the field, to be a part of something, and to be with friends. He said that the return to sports was especially important for seniors because it was the culmination of their high school sports activities. He also said it was a special year for students and coaches alike because they didn't think it would happen, but because of careful planning and organization, the kids and coaches pulled it off quickly.

Middle schools, Pomolita and Eagle Peak, have also returned to a modified sports program. Eagle Peak had 34 students participating in basketball, and Pomolita had 63 students participating in basketball and soccer. Both schools have now added volleyball and track. Alicia Mehtlan, Eagle Peak Athletic Director says that students have arrived at practices early because they are excited and want to be involved. She added that she has worked closely with Jeff Gaston, Pomolita Athletic Director, to set up games for their two schools.

I talked to Jordan Schwarm, 7th-grade student at Pomolita, who played basketball and is now participating in track. He knows the importance of doing well academically,  but he is looking at sports as a door into college and thinks all students need to have sports. He says not only is being a part of school sports fun, but it is great to be with friends.

For some students, sports is the key to school. I spoke with UHS senior and wrestler Brandon Vargas who says that wrestling gave him a reason to finish strong his senior year. He plans to wrestle in college, so it was very important for him to build his wrestling skills this year.  Wrestling is a major part of his life and he has built friendships through the program.

Parents have been excited to have their students once again involved in school sports programs. Angel Slater, an Eagle Peak parent says that getting students back to the field or gym is 100% important. She says it is a matter of a kid being depressed or not. She also states that sports are extremely important to a kid's physical and psychological well-being.

The pandemic has emphasized the importance of sports and other extracurricular activities as an outlet for the sometimes stressful academic part of education. I look forward to being in the stadium again for football, hearing the band play, and seeing the excitement for homecoming. I am sure our community members are looking forward to witnessing the enthusiasm and school spirit which all school sports provide to our small-town atmosphere.