South Central Reporter

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) is calling on the powers that be to do what he sees as the right thing by Illinois high school student-athletes.

“None of the policies in place for students in the wake of COVID-19 are in the best interest of students,” Wilhour said. “It’s time for the governor, ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education), ISHA (Illinois High School Association) and especially local school boards to stand up and make a commitment to these students.”

Wilhour isn’t alone in demanding action, with the ISHA recently firing off a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker in which the association seeks permission to resume control – along with the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee – over the question of when sports and activities may be allowed to resume.  

Back in late July, the IHSA moved to reschedule the start of football, girls’ volleyball and boys’ soccer to spring in light of the lingering impact of the virus. Wilhour argues the time for such guarded caution has come and gone.

“There are always outliers, but students are statistically at almost zero risk,” he added. “Back to class on normal schedules and all sports resume immediately, like almost every other state.”

A recent survey from the UW Health and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health warns that anything short of that may continue to come with a price.

Researchers note the survey of high school athletes across the country finds that the cancellation of youth sports stemming from the virus has taken a significant toll on the mental health and well-being of adolescents.

In all, somewhere in the neighborhood of 68% of the 3,243 student-athletes surveyed reported feelings of anxiety and depression at levels that would typically require medical intervention, an increase of some 37% from past research studies.