Dear James Wood spring athletes and parents:

This afternoon, the Virginia High School League's Executive Committee made the difficult decision to completely cancel the 2020 spring sports season.  At the outset of this health situation in March, I had been optimistic that we would be able to salvage at least some of the season during the summer months. As I have shared with you and our coaches earlier, Mr. Gross and I were both committed to supporting any opportunity for this to happen, and were willing to do whatever it took for you to compete.  As time went on, though, it became apparent that the likelihood of playing decreased almost by the day, so although this final decision is not unexpected, it is no less frustrating and disappointing.

I feel most for all of our seniors who have worked for years to experience their final season, their senior night celebration, the JWAA awards banquet, prom, and graduation.  I feel for parents who have expended so much time, financial resources, countless hours of travel and games and work at home, to help their sons and daughters get to this point. I feel for our coaches, who have likewise dedicated time to their athletes and programs, often at the expense of time with their own families. I feel for all of our athletes who committed the time in the effort in the off-season and pre-season to prepare for what was shaping up to be an incredible spring season for James Wood. It is heartbreaking for me to deliver this news to everyone--and to experience this as a parent of a Colonel athlete at the same time.

I cannot give you any information about what we may see moving forward in terms of off-season summer work, fall sports, or even beyond. All of that will be dictated by decisions at each level of government.  As I have emphasized from the start of the shutdown, I challenge each of you to do everything you can at home to prepare yourselves for whatever lies ahead.  I have encouraged our coaches to provide athletes with sport-specific and general workout information and ideas as much as possible untilf we can meet in person. I have suggested that they meet with athletes virtually on a regular basis, provide playbooks to study at home and through virtual means--whatever we can do to adapt to the current situation.  I do not know what independent sports leagues may have planned for the summer or beyond, and even if they do offer playing opportunities, that will be a decision that each family must evaluate.

In the meantime, know that we are working hard at James Wood with the same thought process. As your athletic director, I am working as if we will open in the fall, with possible adjustments--finalizing schedules, ordering equipment, securing officials, etc. Let us hope that we are back to doing what we do in the fall.  Please let me know if you need anything, and I hope to see you all soon.

BE JAMES WOOD COLONELS STRONG!

Craig Woshner
Athletic Director