Rockbridge County High School was on its way to a normal athletic year. However, due to rising coronavirus cases in Rockbridge County, school sports have been postponed once again. With cases rising not only in Rockbridge County but all over the United States, it is uncertain when sports will be able to start up again. This suspension of sports not only affects the school, but also the athletes who had already begun to play. Currently, sports have just been stopped for the safety and health of the athletes and coaches. Sports were officially paused on Nov. 30, and, at the moment, the school does not know when sports will continue again. 

Mike Gale is the Athletic Director at RCHS. He is in charge of all things athletics.  

Gale says “We are just taking it day by day.” 

The first shipment of vaccines to the United States was on December 14th, the vaccine does have a 95% effective rate and so as long as that stays the same, there is hope in the near future.  If the vaccine is helpful, RCHS may be able to open up again, allowing athletics to resume play.  

“I just don’t have any answers regarding when sports here at RCHS will start up again.” Says Gale

This pandemic has caused uncertainty regarding the return to schools and athletics. At the moment, RCHS is closed until Jan. 18. Athletics may be stopped until then or for even longer. The school’s choice to stop sports was sudden, and there is no way to know when they will continue. With winter break starting Dec 18, there will be time for everyone to be away from school, allowing  cases to possibly die down, which may lead to the return of athletics. If school does return, then it is likely that athletics will pick up again soon afterwards. Due to so many cancellations and changing numbers, RCHS has opted to cancel winter sports. Right now, the health of the students, their families and the staff is the most important.