Renfroe and DHS Cancel Outdoor Practice Until Further Notice
Decatur Metro | August 4, 2011From a note sent out by Decatur High School principal Lauri McKain…
In light of the current heat index, Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School, are cancelling all outdoor practices between the hours of 12pm and 6pm. If your child participates in an athletic team, or band, the head coach will be in contact about adjusted practice schedules. This will be in place until further notice.
The note can be found on the high school’s website.
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VERY wise decision.
I don’t recall situations like this when I was in high school.
Do you suppose we’ve come to cancelling events because of a) the number of out-of-shape and obese kids these days, b) the proliferation of media reports and availability of information, c) the temperature (it is extremely hot) or d) a combination of all of the above?
Best I understand, heat-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality have all increased. Some of the deaths occurred in otherwise healthy, fit young people.
You’re right, Karass. The other thing to take into account is an increasing number of undiagnosed heart defects and similar health issues.
2 deaths in a week’s time is most likely why they were canceled. There’s usually 1 or 2 a year it seems like, but I don’t remember 2 in 1 week previously. I briefly glanced at the AJC forum yesterday and they were full of the “kids are too fat” type of comments. I don’t recall reading anything that suggested either player that died were too fat to be playing sports, so I don’t know why those types of comments were filling up the boards. Well, except they’re usually full of hateful garbage no matter how sensitive the topic. I have a hard time believing people didn’t die of heat strokes 20 years ago though.
I understand the reason why practices are cancelled (and I think it is smart); I’m wondering if the situations are increasing or if our awareness of these situations is increasing.
If the situations are increasing, is there an underlying reason?
Please don’t tie my question to the AJC boards, which I agree are usually tasteless.
I hear what you’re saying Bulldog. These are dangerous temps for sure but are people including children less capable of handling them. And why? Too much AC and mcnuggets?
I think too much AC is part of it. If you stay active outdoors year around you tend to adjust to the heat. But many people switch over to almost 100% AC exposure once June hits, then if they try to do anything active outside in August it is a shock to the system. Nothing scientific behind that, but my own experience is that if I stay active in the heat it does not tend to affect me as much.
That said, temps lately have been so high that everyone should be careful. Playing football in 99 degrees wasn;t a good idea in 1965 and it isn’t now.
Apologies- I realize how that must have read, but that wasn’t my intention. I’m actually embarrassed for myself that I glanced at them in the first place. In my defense, it really was only for about 2 secs. But still, don’t tell anyone. OK?
Increased awareness and media interest plays a role:
http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/students/fbheatstroke.htm
An article from 2004
“Exertional heat stroke has claimed the lives of nearly 100 high school and college athletes in the past 50 years, mostly in the first two to four days of football practice. Although it is a preventable cause of death, 21 relatively anonymous young athletes died between 1995 and 2001, after several years with no exertional heat stroke deaths in high school and college football. The recent deaths of two professional athletes have focused attention on exertional heat stroke and the prevention strategies that can save lives in the future.”
Apologies. I realize how that sounded and that wasn’t my intention.
Absolutely to what karass said, and the ease and prolifporation of how we receive information as you suggested is much of it also.
Shoot, this didn’t appear on my phone after I posted it yesterday so I thought it never made it through. And yet, here it is. Sorry for the double post!
Schools are afraid of lawsuits, period. Kids are probably not as out of shape as we think, at least those participating in sports. Weight training has helped, and training techniques have changed over the past 40 years. Forty years ago, they didn’t allow water in practice, there was no such thing as gatorade. We had practices, never cancelled or moved indoors. It was just as hot. I live in Florida, going to move to Decatur. They don’t even think of cancelling any practices and have already started games. I guess we are in better shape in Fl.
A student of mine (not at CSD) died during soccer practice a few years ago. My friend was the coach and even though he did everything he could, even though he was not at fault, he has never gotten over it. He quit teaching, the family was understandably stricken with grief and the entire school atmosphere changed.
This kid was a solid, healthy athlete; I’m all for extra precaution.
I do think that you have great points about out of shape kids and too much AC. However, until that changes let’s be cautious.
Back in the 60’s and 70’s ( when I went to high school in Atlanta), school didn’t start until after Labor Day and football really was a Fall sport. I am pretty sure that the intensity level of the practices were not as,well, intense and neither was the stress for winning as great. Just a thought.
So school starting in August is NOT a deep South tradition but a more recent development? I had no idea. Does anyone understand how the early start evolved? I understand that air conditioning in schools would allow for an earlier start but why did schools in the South want to move the start earlier? And why is there a gradient with deep South starting the earliest, e.g. mid to early August, and states farther north like North Carolina starting a little later, e.g. end of August, but not as early as the North, Midwest, and West?
Carpet baggers?
Carpet baggers brought the early start? Or the early start was to keep out the carpet baggers?
Yeah, that occurred to me too. Is it possible that high school sports are more actually rigorous than they used to be? More competitive, higher stakes, etc.?
And then … I believe it actually is true that it gets hotter now than several decades ago, not just nostalgic whining. Just by a few degrees, but maybe enough to make a difference.
Hmmmm…. start after Labor Day… sounds like a great idea! Then they could move the whole calendar back for a month and have finals at the end of January, leaving plenty of time to “recover” from Holdiay Break.
However, until the state takes action, it’s not going to happen. EOCTs prevent that.
The proliferation of artificial turf is also a factor. After the DHS stadium field bakes in the sun all day the temperature on the field feels at least 10 degrees hotter – like the middle of the Suburban Plaza parking lot. I think the administration is making a good decision.
I would think air quality is also a factor that has changed