Athletic activities suspended at Burbank, Burroughs, Providence in wake of coronavirus concerns

Coach Joel Brinton was walking off the court after his Burroughs High boys’ volleyball team had just defeated Pasadena in a Pacific League match Thursday afternoon.

“I went to check my phone and it was blowing up with messages,” Brinton said. “I didn’t know what was going on.”

What Brinton discovered was what every other Burbank and Burroughs coach who heads a spring sports program learned Thursday. A decision was made by all but one Pacific League member school to suspend all athletics practices and contests until at least April 13.

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The Burbank Leader’s coverage of the coronavirus outbreak

April 1, 2020

The decision stemmed from the mounting concern from the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

A joint statement from the Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena school districts read: “In the best interest of student health and safety, and in light of recent directives from state and local health authorities to practice social distancing, we have made the decision to suspend all Pacific League CIF practices and competitions from March 13 through April 13.

“This decision has been made in collaboration with our fellow CIF Pacific League superintendents. We will assess the situation in early April and determine the plan for practice and competition beyond April 13, 2020.”

The statement was signed by all three district superintendents, including Burbank Unified School District’s Matt Hill.

Administrators from the city’s private school, Providence, also made a simular decision Thursday to suspend athletic activities. Providence’s moratorium will last until April 20 and the situation will be reassessed April 13, said Providence athletic director Andrew Bencze.

“We will take a couple of weeks off, kind of look around and see what is happening in the world and see what’s going on and we’ll reassess things on April 13,” said Bencze, whose teams compete in the Prep League. “I know that every school in the Prep League but one is ceasing all athletics.

“Nobody likes this. But it’s really the right thing to do right now. This a plan that we have thought out and it’s not like we’re suddenly making changes ... we just wanted to make sure we were prepared and that we’re doing things the right way. Athletics are important, but this is much bigger than athletics.”

Almost without exception, administrators and coaches from all three local schools agree that suspending athletic contests and practices is the right decision in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“What we’re doing just makes sense. I know what this is all for, they are trying to stop the spread of the virus,” said Steven Hubbell, Burroughs assistant principal of athletics and activities. “We are being careful and we don’t want this to get any worse than it already is, so if we can take these steps to maybe lessen the epidemic, that’s what we have to do. They are just being very protective.

“It’s just difficult when you love sports and know the value that sports has in the lives of these young girls and boys.”

Another individual who knows the value of high school sports is Burbank Principal Tom Crowther. Crowther was a former baseball player and coach at Burroughs.

“It hurts, obviously,” Crowther said. “It’s particularly hard for the seniors when you have to make the decision to postpone and you don’t have a definite date of when you will be able to resume. But these are uncharted waters and I think everyone is figuring it out and seeing how things are changing by the hour and certainly by the day.

“We recognize the levity with this decision in that we tried other things first. We tried to have games with no spectators and we just couldn’t keep up with the news cycle that was coming out and how things were changing and progressing very rapidly. If you want to call it an abundance of caution, or you just want to call it logic, it’s the right thing to do at this point.”

Veteran Burbank baseball coach Bob Hart said he understands the reasons for the precautions that have been made by the schools and the districts to protect its athletes.

“This is a lot bigger than sports,” Hart said. “We realize that this is something that has to be done and it’s being done for all the right reasons.

“I just really feel for the players, and especially the seniors. They have put in a lot of hard work and dedication and I know this is tough for them. What will really be missed is the camaraderie that the players have built up and the love they have for one another. That’s the really tough part.”

Initially, the BUSD made the decision early Thursday to go forward with spring practices and contests, which were to be held with no spectators. However, later in the day, the decision was made to suspend all athletic activities.

Burbank and Burroughs were scheduled to square off in their traditional cross-town rivalries in softball and boys’ volleyball next week. But like all other contests, that has been scrapped.

“Because of the rains, we were holding practice in the gym,” Indians softball coach Doug Nicol said. “And the end of practice, a few girls checked their phones and they were like ‘coach, coach, coach.’ That’s how we found out. It was a tough way for them to find out. It was really said, there were tears and sadness.

“We told them we can’t do anything with them at all during this time, nothing organized. But a couple of the girls were like ‘can we organize our own thing?’ I told them I can’t tell you what you can or cannot do on your own time. But we have some very good leadership on the team, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they took it upon themselves to organize some things on their own.”

First-year Burbank softball coach Melissa Sanchez said the suspension of the season has repercussions beyond the games themselves.

“The No. 1 thing is that we think about everyone who is affected and hope that they will be OK,” she said. “We are just praying for those who are being affected by it.

“We had the Burroughs game coming up next week and they were so looking forward to that. But they understand ... It’s just hard when you think they they could be missing senior night, or the banquet or all the other things that is part of being a team. I know it’s disappointing for them, but we all understand.”

Said Providence softball coach Manny Travieso: “I just told the girls for now, do what you have to do, spend time with your family, follow the rules to try and get over this thing. Hopefully we will be able to get out of this like we should as soon as possible and things can get back to normal.”

Another first-year coach, Matt Magallon of Burroughs baseball, said he believes the schools’ administrators have done the right thing in an attempt to protect the young athletes.

“We have great administrators and we have great people working this and we are going to do whatever they say is best,” he said. “The reality of it is this is something that is unrepresented. It’s the smart move.

“There are people who are making a lot more than we are, in the NBA, Major League Baseball and other organizations, who have some of the best doctors in the world. If they are saying shut it down, it would be dumb not to do it.”

Brinton hopes that the season will be able to be resumed next month, and he is trying to stay positive.

“Hopefully by April 13 we can get back to it,” Brinton said. “I think that’s what we all want. That would be amazing.”