Sports plans must continue.
Uncertainty reigns. Still, even with the knowledge that schedules may be changed, that teams do not know when they will play next, and continuity easily can be a casualty, plans are a certainty.
Football in the Fall, whether college, high school, or National Football League, remains a mystery for certain, then add in the fan factor, or, the fan-less factor. Who can be certain? Only the COVID-19 presence prevails. When crowds will have a sense of safety is the question.
NASCAR started competition this month without fans in attendance, Professional Golf Association tournaments without galleries will begin in June, and professional competition in basketball and baseball are in a heightened sense of discussion, but nothing concrete, no set plans.
The Chicago Bears have a first preseason game on the schedule for August 15 and a regular-season opener September 13. Stay tuned. Major League Baseball aims for a greatly-reduced schedule, likely without fans, and a reduction in player income because of revenue shortfall. Plans and discussion may consume a great deal of time.
We can look at the Bears’ schedule of 16 regular-season games. Television times have been assigned. The season opener calls for the Bears to play at Detroit Sunday, Sept. 13, two Monday night games, one Sunday night, and one Thursday night to follow. Stay tuned.
• What will happen in college football from the Division III schools to the top drawer nationally-ranked Division I teams? Plans must continue amid uncertainty and it may be months prior to certainty.
• Meanwhile, Augustana College in Rock Island recently announced its 2020 recruiting class, filled with players familiar to fans in The Voice circulation area.
Augustana head coach Steve Bell said, “We are extremely excited about the academic fit, character, and the high-level of football talent in this class. It’s very hard to judge the impact of a recruiting class without waiting a few years to see it develop, but, on paper, this group of young men has a tremendous upside.”
Augustana, 6-4, last season and with a strong returning element from last season, plays in the CCIW (College of Illinois and Wisconsin) along with 2019 Division III champion North Central College and Wheaton College, which made a run deep into the playoffs last season. The CCIW is one of the best football conference in Division III nationally.
Here are some of the talented incoming players for Augustana, listed alphabetically, after the Tumilty brothers from Willowbrook High School, twice undefeated West Suburban Gold champions. Quarterback freshman Sam Tumilty, two-time all-State player and West Suburban Conference player of the year. He completed 69.1% of his passes for 2,525 yards and 23 touchdowns. His brother, Scott Tumilty, one year older, who was at St. Francis University in Joliet last year, caught passes, rushed, and was a superb defensive back.
Kevin Akins, Immaculate Conception, defensive line, 260 pounds; Mark Barron, Oswego East, defensive back; Ryan Bingham, Metea Valley, defensive back, Derek Butts, Yorkville, defensive back, Mark Dennison, Downers Grove N., defensive back; Chris Eckard, York, FB/DL; Christian Halstead, Wheaton North, WR/DB; Rukkus Hunkins, Huntley, LB; Aaron Lopez, Burlington Central, LB/DL; Joey McDonough, Plainfield East, OL; Michael Ninni, Geneva, LB/DB; Tommy O’Malley, Benet Academy, DB; Ben Radel, St. Francis, RB; Ty Rivelli, Bartlett, RB; Jaren Smith, Joliet Central, DB/LB; Ben Voigts, Glenbard North, OL, 330 pounds; Cade Whiteside, Huntley, WR; Sam Wilson, Oswego East, RB; Anthony Yannotti, Willowbrook, LB.