A.D. Shea Looks to Acknowledge Student-Athletes at Some Point

Revere Director of Athletics Frank Shea planned diligently for the re-opening of the spring sports season, hoping that it would finally get underway after being twice postponed by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The season would have been the culmination of a phenomenal sports year that began with the football team winning the NEC championship and advancing to the sectional finals, the field hockey team having a record-setting year, and the cheerleading team winning a state championship.

Running back back Joe Llanos was named All-Scholastic while Jonathan Murphy (Endicott), Erika Cheever (Salem State) and other sports stars will be continuing their athletic careers at the next level.

But the spring season has been officially canceled by the MIAA after Gov. Charlie ordered that all schools in Massachusetts be closed for the remainder of the school year.

Shea has been in consultation with Supt. of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly about “putting together a game plan going forward.” Shea will be meeting by remote with the Greater Boston League athletic directors Thursday.

“We will be acknowledging our Revere High athletes at some point but that process hasn’t been determined,” said Shea. “It could be a virtual ceremony or an awards program with social distancing in July. We’re really not sure.”

Shea had launched a boys volleyball program that was slated to begin in the spring. Head coach Lianne O’Hara had put a lot of time and energy in to bringing the sport in to the athletic program.

“It’s unfortunate for them – they did a lot of work and a lot of preparation to try to get that off the ground,” said Shea. “Coach O’Hara had been working on this program for a couple of years. It’s sad that it didn’t come to fruition this year, but I’m sure it will be off the ground next spring.”

Superintendent Kelly lauded RHS student-athletes for an outstanding year while expressing sadness about the cancellation of the spring sports season.

“This year has been amazing for RHS sports and we are all saddened to see the spring season canceled, particularly for senior athletes,” said Kelly. “There were high hopes for the kinds of successes our fall teams achieved. But our coaches are still working with students to keep their fitness and training regimens in place. It’s not the same as competing on the field, but hopefully it at least keeps the comradery and team bond solid.”

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