MT. VERNON, IL — The only thing definitive since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is that nothing is definite and everything can change in a day. As of now, the Illinois State Board of Education has issued plans for a return to school while the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has amended their plans for a return to sports.

With so much uncertainty, one thing is for sure; to play high school sports you’ll need a sports physical. Ashley Hofer is a Nurse Practitioner with Crossroads Community Hospital. She says sports physicals and wellness exams need to be done, pandemic or not.

Per the IHSA calendar, the first day of fall sports practices are scheduled for August 10th. However, the IHSA Board of Directors will be meeting later this month to discuss a number of options as the fall sports season approaches.