BY BRANDON HURLEY
Sports Editor
sports@beeherald.com
In a move of solidarity, the Greene County Community School District is turning on the lights.
In conjunction with the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association, the local high school will shine the Linduska Field lights bright each Friday in an effort to show support for prep sports.
Greene County will flick on its stadium lights tonight at 8 p.m. Friday, April 10 as part of the state-wide initiative. This week’s initial flood of support will last 15 minutes, signifying the number of school days missed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
School was shuttered across Iowa in Mid-March, with original plans to resume classes again April 13 before Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds extended the suspension through May 1.
The Greene County school district will continue the weekly tradition each Friday night through the remainder of April, joining a throng of other schools across Iowa. The duration will extend each week as depicting the number of school days missed. With spring and summer sports still in limbo - the state organizations for both boys’ and girls’ athletics are hoping to resume activities on May 4 - Greene County activities director Todd Gordon views this as a chance to shed light on the seriousness of the pandemic, but at the same time giving athletes and fans a glimmer of hope.
“We see this as an opportunity to let our students and community know that we miss our students and miss having our community come out and support our programs,” Gordon said in an email. “Eventually, we will be back on our fields, together with competing and supporting the Rams. For now, we just want our students and community to know that we miss them and support them.”
Social media hashtags of #lightupIA and #LightupLinduska can be used to show community support each Friday as well, Gordon said. But he strongly discourages residents from venturing out of their homes and toward the illuminated field. This initiative is not an excuse to forego the practice of social distancing. Fans and athletes alike must still be cautious of society’s health. The project is solely a means to express each school district’s sympathy and their desire to resume normal life as well.
“This is not an invitation to gather in the parking lot or be on the field,” he said. “We still must practice proper social distancing guidelines. If you drive by please continue to drive and stay in your cars.”