On Friday, June 5 the IHSA released their Stage 1 Return to Play guidelines in accordance with the Governor’s Restore Illinois Plan. Joliet Catholic Academy, the East Suburban Catholic Conference board of control, and Joliet Diocesan High Schools had previously all agreed to shutting down campuses for all activities until July 1. As of this e-mail, Joliet Catholic Academy’s campus is still shutdown until July 1 .

 

The JCA administration and athletic directors from the East Suburban Catholic Conference met yesterday to discuss what conference schools are doing to ensure the number one priority of student health and safety. JCA must be sure we can meet all requirements in the IHSA Stage 1 Return to Play guidelines before allowing student athletes to return to campus. Not only do all of the activities of students with coaches need to be approved by local school boards (in our case the JCA administration), they must also be approved by local health departments.

 

This is a fluid situation and the JCA administration is actively working on our JCA Return to Play campus plan. We will update all current JCA parents and student athletes if and when we are able to begin outdoor conditioning workouts on campus before July 1.

 

Additionally, IHSA member school sponsored camps, clinics, and open gyms are prohibited in any sport at this time. The JCA administration has also made the decision to cancel our Youth Summer Camps due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to cancel our elementary school camps was a difficult one. We cherish the opportunity to develop relationships and have fun with our future Angels and Hilltoppers.

 

We remain committed to providing camps, clinics, and tournaments for elementary students at JCA as soon as we are able. We will be providing information on possible fall opportunities for prospective students in the upcoming months.

 

We hope to have our JCA students on campus in the very near future.

 

Regards,

 

Dan Sharp

Joliet Catholic Academy Athletic Director