Movement on the return to sports competition begins with NASCAR’s decision to hold a race event Sunday, May 17, in a sense. It will be different with no fans in attendance, thankfully. The COVID-19 remains in high gear and fans in attendance only would be asking for trouble. There is a reason that state governors, either completely, or partially, are in a shutdown mode. There will racing on television, however, only the roar of he engines will be heard. There will be three races in 10 days following the return to racing at Darlington S.C. May 17. May precautions be paramount.
The Indianapolis 500 has been postponed from May 24 to August 23 with hopes that crowds can enjoy the spectacle, however, there may modifications in gatherings if not downright whole changes in the infield and in the stands. Could there be another postponement? Television contracts and advertising pressure create challenges.
• Meanwhile, the relative purity of Division III college sports is always attractive. Dedication, fun, less pressure to win on the coaches, and seldom, if ever, financial scandals rip at the edges of football and basketball. Mostly it is joyous.
There are successful coaches who are content with Division III and do not have expectations of moving up to Division II or, Division I, and live without undo pressure to win games. One such successful Division III head basketball coach, Grey Giovanine of Augustana College in Rock Island and in the prestigious CCIW (College of Illinois and Wisconsin), announced his retirement Tuesday after 21 years of dominance. His won-loss record of 433-150, for a .743 percentage is an Augustana school record. Under his guidance, his teams won 10 conference championships in 21 years and six CCIW tournament championships. In five seasons, 2014-2019, his teams put together a wonderful won-loss record of 131-26 (.743 record) and advanced at least to the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen each year. The Vikings won 17 NCAA tournament games in those five years, the most in that time of any program of any level.
“After much reflection, prayerful consideration and discussion with my family,” Giovanine said, “I have decided that it is time for me to conclude my coaching tenure at Augustana. I am in good health. I don’t expect coaching to be a part of what lies ahead and (wife) Kelly and I look forward to the next chapters to come.”