Jonathan Alder head football coach Brett Glass gives instructions to Taber Headings in this file photo from the 2019 season. Glass, who is also an assistant baseball coach for the Pioneers, is uncertain how the coronavirus will impact high school sports in the weeks and months ahead. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on sports throughout the world.
It has caused high school athletics in the state of Ohio to grind to a screeching halt.
No one at this time knows whether spring sports will be conducted, due to the state-mandated school lockdown.
For that matter, no one knows for sure what will happen over the summer months and into the fall season.
One local person who is feeling the impact as much or perhaps even more than others is Jonathan Alder’s Brett Glass.
The 2003 Jonathan Alder graduate not only is the head football coach of the Pioneers, but also serves as an assistant baseball coach.
Craig Kyle, who is JA’s head baseball coach, is Glass’ offensive coordinator for the football team.
The Journal-Tribune talked to Glass during a recent telephone interview.
He said everything appears to be going as well as can be expected in the southeastern part of Union County.
“We can’t have any contact with the baseball team while the schools are in shutdown mode,” said Glass. “We’re just hoping the guys are staying as active as they can, but more importantly, they are staying safe.
“All of the coaches are thinking about that.”
Glass said no one knows what the 2020 spring sports season will look like, if it’s allowed to happen along the lines of an abbreviated schedule.
“I know Craig has talked to some people at the Ohio High School Athletic Association to get some ideas, but nothing has been decided,” said Glass.
Glass has been a part of hugely successful JA baseball and football teams as both squads have won numerous honors over the years.
He guided the Pioneer gridders to a Division III regional runner-up finish and a 12-1 record during the 2019 campaign.
Glass has been the head coach of the team since 2014. He has led the Pioneers to an overall record of 50-16 and to state playoff berths during four of his six campaigns at the helm.
Not only is baseball in limbo, but so is conditioning for football.
The school’s weightlifting facility is not open to players during the shutdown.
“I told our players to do what they can as far as lifting on their own, but to also be safe first and foremost,” said Glass. “We will reopen the weight room as soon as the school shutdown is lifted.”
The shutdown is impacting Glass not only from a coaching standout, but also in the classroom as well.
He teaches anatomy and bio-medical science at Jonathan Alder High School.
Like all teachers throughout the state, his students are continuing their studies on-line.
“There has been some adjustment to that, but we’re doing the best we can,” he said.
While Glass is hoping some type of spring sports schedule can be played, he’s also concerned about the 2020 high school football season.
“I hope we can get spring sports going and I hope this doesn’t impact football,” he said. “We’ve got some seven-on-seven passing scrimmages planned for this summer, but we really don’t know what’s going to happen.
“However, public safety must come first.”