Caught in the middle, McHenry's athletes are in a tough spot

Someone posed the question this weekend about the high school teacher's strike that started last Thursday in McHenry and does not appear to have an ending in the foreseeable future.

Would the strike have happened if the football team was 4-1 and playoff bound instead of 1-4?

What kind of question is that, right?

Maybe not as goofy as it seems. Especially for a program that has gone from a Fox Valley Conference powerhouse and 20 straight playoff trips to what is now eight straight losing seasons.

If the community was energized and captivated by a team's success, would there have been a greater sense of urgency for both sides to resolve their differences? We will never know in this case.

But when there was a close call for a strike in District 211 eight years ago, the potential disruption for football teams in the playoffs and other sports teams in their postseasons was a part of the discussion. Fortunately the "what if" scenarios never happened.

What has happened in McHenry are the dreams and goals of high school athletes are on hold - or in some instances no longer attainable - while the adults try to find a solution to their issues.

In no way is this saying sports are more important than academics. Strikes will cause all sorts of academic setbacks and headaches for kids who are getting set to graduate and head to college. The days missed will be made up, so an extended strike could affect the summer plans of kids who want to work or families looking to go on vacation.

But sports are an extracurricular activity that is highly valued by many in the educational process. And the thing with sports is seasons can't be made up.

McHenry has now forfeited two football games - last week against Cary-Grove and this week's homecoming against Dundee-Crown - and its final games with Huntley and Jacobs could be in danger because of the IHSA requirements on three to five days of practice before returning to play.

Conference meets and tournaments cannot be altered. Boys and girls golfers who may have worked toward making the state tournament saw that come to an end since they couldn't participate in their regionals. Do other athletes and teams stay organized enough to keep practicing and preparing if they get the chance to play again when the strike ends?

Some would say these are only games and it really doesn't matter. They matter to the kids who may have dreamed and worked for years to wear their high school's uniform.

And there are no redshirt years in high school because of injuries or instances of labor discord. For most high school athletes impacted by a strike this is the last time they will compete in their organized sports.

Their lasting memories won't be whether they won or lost but how they didn't even get to play their final games.

marty.maciaszek@gmail.com