Winter Basketball At MPCC – By Mike Arrington

Press release from the Manassas Park Park & Recreation:

January 21, 2021

Wow, what a year it has been for the sports industry. From canceling seasons and games on a professional level, down to the recreational level, to playing in the “sports bubble.” The adjustments we’ve had to make as sports administrators has been very fluid, ever changing, and challenging. I’ve come to find out in a personal/professional experience that dealing with it truly is about where you stand on the question, “should athletes play or should they stay safe?”

With the rise in the number of cases throughout the country, many leagues decide on whether to hold leagues based on metrics, personal opinions, and demand. I can relate to all aspects of this topic and it has made me really evaluate how to deliver sports while at the same time taking into account the absolute safety of my participants.

The health and safety of all MPCC patrons, participants, and staff are our top priority. Since we have reopened, our cleaning has been modified and enhanced to make sure we’re providing the safest and healthiest facility possible for patrons and staff. We continue to enforce mask mandates for everyone, along with social distancing, limiting capacity in spaces, and have revamped our procedures and policies.

One of the toughest decisions I have had to make during my time here at the MPCC has been to cancel our Youth Basketball League (MPYBL) winter 2020-2021 season. I discussed this at length with my colleagues and coaches on the importance of running the league and the importance of it for our participating youth. I struggled with this decision, taking into account how the impact of it would affect our participants. Our youth need interactions between teammates, coaches, and even our staff to give them some sort of sense of normality. However, I believe wholeheartedly that it would be in the best interest of all of our participants and their families to cancel the winter season to protect those same youth and their futures.

Leagues that are conducting a season will have to make program adjustments like limiting spectators or having no spectators, temperature checks, and more. There are leagues like ours that want to keep our game days and operations as close to normal as possible because that is what makes our program- our community’s full involvement. Therefore, we have opted out of trying to change how we offer our league and decided to wait out the storm in order to provide the popular program our community expects, albeit with a few tweaks here and there, when the time comes.

I sincerely hope that once we get back to normal or the “new normal,” we as sports administrators will be able to continue to provide outlets and opportunities for our youth in a much safer environment. Until then, I hope you all stay safe and I will see you next winter for the triumphant return of the MPYBL!

Mike Arrington is the Recreation Specialist for Athletics for the City of Manassas Park, Department of Parks and Recreation. He can be reached at (703) 335-8872 or via email at M.Arrington@ManassasParkVA.gov.

This press release was produced by Manassas Park Park & Recreation. The views expressed are the author's own.