Outside the Washoe County School Board meeting at Sparks High School, protesters called on trustees to give school athletics a chance this fall.
Student athletes from an assortment of Washoe County schools banded together for the "Let Them Play" protest.
The protesters want school sports to start sooner than planned.
"You build life skills. You build relationships. It's about a lot more than just playing sports and I think for some of the seniors need it for college scholarships," said WCSD sophomore student athlete Bryce Eckles. He is one of the students athletes who just want to get back on the field. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association released a statement in July, saying sports won't begin until January due to the pandemic. Winter sports take place first, followed by fall sports in February, and spring sports in April.
"There are 17 superintendents that are part of the NIAA board. They have made the recommendation to postpone athletics.," said WCSD Superintendent Kristen McNeill. Superintendent McNeill spoke to the protesters saying the NIAA is the governing board that made the decision.
"Schools that are not having in person instruction, like some of the districts. Then they can't play, they can't compete, They can't practice. Because they are saying they aren't going to do things in person. So it's a multi-layer decision," said NIAA Board Member Dr. Angie Taylor.
Eckles and his father are still hoping starting dates will be moved up. "This means something. We have to put pressure on the people who make these decisions," said Bryce Eckles. "If we do it in an organized manner through schools, it's probably going to be a lot safer than kids getting together and playing pick up basketball or playing at the park," said his father Dan Eckles. "A lot of these kids are college seniors as well. So a lot of these kids need this last season to get those college offers," said Mathew Szabo who is father of a WCSD student athlete.
Superintendent McNeill says the NIAA board has its next meeting set for September 15th and September 16th.
