VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – With all the uncertainties that have been flying around the sports world the last few months, one certainty remains. Fans and athletes want local sports to go on. That will be the case in Valley City.

On Monday August 10th, practices began for football, boys tennis, girls golf and cross country. Last Monday, soccer began in Jamestown and next week, girls swimming and diving and volleyball get started.

With practices beginning, the question is, will games begin on time as scheduled. The answer is yes! with some exceptions. Valley City Public Schools Activities Director Mike Schultz says for volleyball, after much discussion,  the usual East/West Crossover matches are out, and it will be an EDC schedule with some tweaks.

The football season is scheduled to start on August 28th where last season ended, Beulah. Valley City plays Double A football and Schultz says that would have made changing the schedule a bit more challenging so they decided not to.

The physical health of the student/athlete is a concern with this, but Schultz says mental health plays into the decision as well.

Schultz says the athletes want to play. Even with health and safety guidelines in place, there will some risk but Schultz says the athletes are willing to take that risk.

The first sporting event starts this week with  girls golf hosting a tournament at Bjornson Park Golf Course on Friday. Tennis will host Wahpeton on August 25th. Football at Beulah August 28th. Volleyball at home versus Grand Forks Red River on September 1st. Cross Country will host a meet on September 19th at Bjornson. Boys soccer and girls swimming and diving coop with Jamestown. Soccer’s first match is August 20th at Mandan and Swimming and diving will be in Minot September 3rd.

 

Full interview with Mike Schultz