Revere High Director of Athletics Frank Shea is focusing his efforts on the spring sports season and a starting date of May 4 for pre-season practices.
The MIAA, the organization that governs interscholastic sports in Massachusetts and of which Revere High is a member, voted to push back the start of pre-season practices one week from April 27 to the new date. The final day of the sesaon would be June 27, leaving room for a State Tournament. The original starting day for spring sports was March 16, but the COVID-19 crisis led to the cancellation of all school-related activities.
Shea said he was pleased that the MIAA left the door open for a spring season, albeit one that will result in a vastly reduced schedule for games.
‘Nobody knows where we’re going to be going forward, but by the MIAA putting together a schedule and plan, I think it clarifies everything if and when we do start on May 4,†said Shea. I’m encouraged by what they’ve done and I think it’s a good plan.â€
Shea said he will conferring with other Greater Boston League athletic directors Thursday to formulate the 2020 spring schedule.
For the most part, Shea expects that Revere teams will play a schedule against GBL opponents only and most likely consisting of 12 games. The track teams would likely have dual meets and post-season competitions.
“In a sport like girls lacrosse where there are only 3-4 GBL schools, I’m going to ask whether we’ll be playing each other three or four times during the season,†related Shea,
Revere was also set to launch a new boys’ volleyball program under Coach Lianne O’Hara.
“We don’t have a league affiliation in volleyball, so I’m hoping we can get games against Malden, Somerville and a couple of non-GBL opponents,†said Shea.
Shea has also seen several Revere winter sports banquets canceled and he has been unable to schedule any letter-of-intent signing ceremonies for seniors. Shea has won plaudits from parents for organizing the prestigious ceremonies during which student-athletes announce the colleges where they will be continuing their athletic careers.