CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The assistant principal, athletic director and girls basketball coach at Summers County High School sees a proposal to open up more time in the summer for high school sports practices as potentially both a good idea and a bad idea.
“It has some great points and some things that could really help our student athletes and help our families and, at the same time, if it’s used inappropriately, it could really cause some problems,” said Wayne Ryan on Monday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
Currently, school summer athletic practices are limited to a three week period.
With the proposal the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission’s Board of Control has approved, school principals would have the option of authorizing additional practice times for most other summer weeks with the only exception being the week of July 4.
The state Board of Education could vote on the proposal later this year.
“I hope expanding into the summer gives a little bit more flexibility and balance to the kids’ lives and I hope the coaches can keep it in perspective because, if you want to be so regimental in what you do and your requirements are too strong, you’re going to run some athletes off,” said Ryan.
He said, if more summer practices become an option, it will be up to principals and athletic directors — like him — to police those practices.
“In theory, it’s a great rule change, a great rule proposal, if it’s handled appropriately. If it’s not handled appropriately, it could cause a lot of problems so someone is going to have to monitor it,” he said.
In addition to working in the school system and seeing the proposal as a coach and administrator, Ryan’s son plays three varsity sports.
A public comment period on the WVSSAC’s proposal will begin next month. If the state Board of Education approves it, the new rule would be in effect for the 2015-2016 school year.