KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Two days of hot and humid conditions are leading Northeast Wisconsin school districts to closely watch the weather and how it could impact outdoor athletics.
It’s a hot start to the week, and the heat is impacting middle and high school sports across the area.
“It’s a major concern. We want to keep our athletes and coaches safe,” said Kaukauna Activities Director Kasey Smith.
The heat and heat index lead to the cancellation of all middle school sports and afternoon activities in Kaukauna, as well as the JV football game that was even pushed to a later start.
Waupun also canceled its home JV football game against Appleton East slated for Monday afternoon.
According to Doug Disch with the Waupun Area School District, “Football really concerns me because of the helmet. Young kids try to be tough, try to tough their way through discomfort, and I really just wanted to keep our coaches and referees and first and foremost, our athletes, safe.”
Many districts were tracking the heat index, rearranging game and practice schedules to keep athletes safe and out of the heat as much as possible.
“Our cross country team ran this morning. Our tennis team will be working out this afternoon, but will be able to take breaks. Our varsity football team, they’re doing stuff inside until 7 o’clock and then if we see that heat index drop down, they’ll use our indoor facility or outside,” said Smith.
Roland Schmidt, an athletic trainer with Bellin Health, added, “Practices are being shortened, increased water breaks. We’re doing a lot of postponement of our practice times, so avoiding the heat of the day. That three o’clock, four o’clock, the 4:30 practice times.”
That’s why athletic trainers, like Schmidt, are working with districts to monitor conditions — knowing how dangerous they can be for even the most fit athletes.
“Heat illness can be deadly. It is a medical emergency that we need to take very, very seriously. So, don’t be a hero. Don’t be a hero in this situation. Certainly, talk to your coaches, let your coaches know you’re not feeling well, let your athletic trainers know that you’re not feeling well,” said Schmidt.
They have equipment and the training to help athletes out.
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