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Columbia's softball field prior to its game against Madison County on March 12. It was the Lady Tigers' last game this season. (FILE)
Thirty-seven years in the dugout.
Columbia baseball coach Brian Thomas has seen a lot in his long career across multiple states, but never anything like this. The harsh reality had been setting in for weeks, that the high school season was probably over.
On Monday, the inevitable decision was finally made as the Florida High School Association officially canceled the spring sports season due to the coronavirus pandemic. The news comes one day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that schools will remain closed and continue distance learning through the rest of the academic year.
“It’s unprecedented sadness,” Thomas said.
Sports affected in Columbia County are baseball, softball, tennis, track and boys weightlifting. There will also no spring football, which was scheduled to begin April 27.
“Following Governor Ron DeSantis’ announcement mandating schools continue distance learning for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, it is with heavy hearts that the FHSAA has decided to cancel all FHSAA affiliated events, inclusive of the state series and all championship events, for spring sports,” the FHSAA said in a statement. “The safety of our student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans is our top priority. With the evolving threat of the CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19), we must ensure that we do not contribute to the spread of this illness.
“We are deeply saddened for our student-athletes who have seen their seasons and/or high school careers end so abruptly. Our Association knows the impact and role high school athletics play in the lives of so many and will continue to work towards the betterment of high school sports. We know this is a trying time, but the health and safety of all is of utmost importance to this Association.”
High school athletics had been on hiatus since March 18. DeSantis announced a day before that that students would have to option to stay back a year and the FHSAA released a statement on March 31 that it was considering an extra year of eligibility for spring athletes that missed their seasons.
That is no longer the case. The FHSAA also said in Monday’s statement that no additional eligibility will be granted.
For seniors, their high school careers are over.
“Under the guidance of the Florida Department of Education regarding grade level retention, and upon review of the Florida Statutes and FHSAA Bylaws, no additional eligibility will be granted for spring sport athletes,” the statement said.
It’s devastating news for some individuals who were chasing state titles. Columbia jumper Asherah Collins was eager to defend her state championship in the triple jump and weightlifters Kylen Callum, Marlon Pollock and Caleb Dixon were primed to medal at state, if not win the whole thing.
Collins is moving on to jump at UCF. She says she’s sad she won’t get another chance to wear a gold medal around her neck at state but she can leave Columbia satisfied with her performance last year, which was the school’s first state title in track & field since 1981.
“It really sucks, but there’s nothing that I can do about it,” Collins said. “I’ve just got to keep practicing and work harder because I’m going to go to college. I can’t get out of shape. I already made history so that was good enough.”
Thomas’ baseball club was also trying to continue a historic streak. The Tigers were chasing after their sixth straight district title, with the last three coming with Thomas as the coach.
Thomas’ son, Hunter, was a part of the last two championships. He’s moving on to play college ball at Glenville State but nothing will replace losing his last season in high school.
“It’s definitely heartbreaking,” Hunter Thomas said. “Going into the season we were looking forward to kind of proving people wrong and doing our best and everything we could to 6-peat. That was our goal, and to build a family and build a relationship with players and all that. It sucks, especially being a senior. You look forward to Senior Night. You look forward to putting on your jersey one last time and you won’t be able to really do that anymore. It definitely hits home a little bit.”
Not having one more night with their seniors is the hardest part for coaches. It was a bitter reality for Columbia softball coach Trudy Andrews, whose team was 9-3 when the season was put on hold.
She now has to say goodbye to five seniors — Cadence Mirra, Caroline Lewis, Lucy Giebeig, Morgan Hoyle and Whitney Lee — without a Senior Night.
“I hate it for the seniors especially, but for the whole team. It’s sad,” Andrews said. “It’s heartbreaking actually because that’s what they look forward to. You play from a young age and then you get in high school and that’s what you’re working toward — your senior year. I had a tremendous senior class, so I hate it for them.”
It was a decision Brian Thomas knew was coming after DeSantis’ announcement Sunday and one he says had to be made. But it’s one that still hurts just the same.
Thomas never thought he’d see a day where an entire season would go up in smoke.
“I know for a lot of people it’s closure and it should be,” Thomas said. “It closes the final door, which it needed to do for some of these kids. But it doesn’t make that any easier.”