In response to the Governor's Office reopening school facilities and gyms on May 26th, Elder High School will begin training sessions for Fall Student athletes over the next week. Sport Starting Date Times Training Days Football (Soph., Jr. , Sr.) Wednesday, May 27th 9:00 - 11:00 AM Mon/ Wed/ Fri Freshmen Football Monday, June 8th 11:30 AM -1:30 PM Mon/ Wed/ Fri Soccer (Fr., Soph.,Jr.,Sr.) Tuesday, June 2nd 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Tue/ Thur Cross Country Monday, June 1st (Running begins) 7:00 AM Tue/ Thur Golf Tuesday, June 2nd 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Tue/ Thur Volleyball Tuesday, June 2nd 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM Tue/ Thur We will be following the mandates from the Governor's Office and the Department of Health: Gyms/Fitness Centers: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/Gyms-Dance-Instruction.pdf Skills Training: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/Skills-Training-All%20Sports.pdf We will also be adding selected recommendations from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). These include: Pre-Workout Screening for contact tracing purposes If Athletes/faculty/staff present with over a 100 degree temperature, answer "YES" to either of the questions on the assessment or don't have a face covering, they are not to enter the facility or participate in the workout. The use of simple cloth face coverings (bandanas, T-shirts masks) when indoors is required. Student Athletes are required to bring their own, labeled water bottle. Water fountains are not available, athletes will not be permitted to train without a water bottle. If waiting in line for Physical Assessment, athletes must observe 6' social distancing. Athletes must use hand sanitization upon entry to facility with Sanitizer products meeting CDC Guidelines. Athletes MUST keep the water bottle with them at all times along with any other items (keys, wallet, cleats, etc.). We recommend carrying all items in a small drawstring backpack. The training facility will be organized based on creating a one-way traffic flow upon entering/exiting the facility, and maintaining this flow during training sessions. Athletes will clean all weight room surfaces touched immediately after usage and before next athlete uses same piece of equipment. Staff will disinfect before, during, and after all training sessions with EPA-approved disinfectants for sanitizing equipment. Locker Rooms will not be available - Athletes must arrive dressed for a workout Locker Room in PFC will be used for restrooms ONLY and will have a maximum occupancy of two athletes at a time. The No-touch rule is in effect. All individuals must avoid physical contact with others including high fives. Huddles, or other close contact occurring before, during and after skills sessions unless the contact is for the purpose of safety. There will be no congregation before or after the training or practice session. There will be no socializing or extra-curricular activities. Maintain six-foot social distancing, except when instruction requires close interaction with instructor/coach. We request parent/guardian wait in parking lot for pick-up. Staff will perform deep cleaning after hours or during low-use times. We ask that our student athletes arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to their scheduled workout time. They should meet, while practicing 6-foot social distancing, in The Pit (weather permitting) or Fieldhouse (during inclement weather). After completing or turning in a Pre-Workout Screening, the athletes will be broken into two groups. The Panther Fitness Center has enough space to train 54 athletes per session, while the remaining athletes will complete speed, agility and skills training outside. Groups will switch locations on the "Fitness Center Group". Regardless of our personal beliefs and practices at home, these will be the recognized practices while using the facilities at Elder High School. Student athletes that do not want to expose themselves to these conditions; should contact their coach and continue at-home workouts (https://www.elderhs.org/about/contacts--directory). The Athletic Department and Training staff will closely monitor these training sessions and make adjustments in order to maintain best practices. In the coming weeks, training sessions will be added for non-Fall athletic teams. If you have any questions, please contact: Adam Rankin, Head Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, rankinaw@elderhs.net Alex Merkel, Asst. Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, merkelad@elderhs.net Kevin Espelage, Athletic Director, espelagekj@elderhs.net   [Read More]