Although Dublin ISD has had a lot of participation from athletes in summer conditioning, workouts start next week for volleyball, football and cross country.
Following UIL rules, Dublin is now monitoring Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to monitor heat conditions during all outdoor UIL athletic and marching band practices.
According to the National Weather Service, WBGT is the measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover (solar radiation). Under the UIL guidelines, there are five levels of consideration, starting at under 82 degrees WBGT for safe with no restrictions. Certain guidelines are offered above the ‘safe’ WBGT temperature. Once the WBGT is 92.1 degrees or above, athletes have to move inside or practice has to be canceled.
DISD Athletic Director Greg Hardcastle doesn’t expect the ruling to affect their practices much or at all but assures his staff and he are monitoring the environment and taking all necessary precautions.
“The biggest chance of hitting those temps are early August,” he said. Athletes will be practicing early morning in those weeks before school starts to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
“That first week and a half will be in the morning so that will help,” Hardcastle said. “We may have to adapt schedules. It is what it is.”
The AD said he and his staff got information on measurement of the WBGT and safety guidelines to help prepare them.
Hardcastle said the safety of the students are paramount and they’ve been working on ensuring that.
“We’re always real cognizant to make sure we have enough breaks in practice and the kids get enough water,” he said. “Coach [Alexis] Galbreath makes sure we’re keeping on top of that.”
Workout schedules are as follows:
Football
Monday, Aug. 3 – 6:00 – 9:30 a.m. Practice (shorts/shirt/helmet) & Weights Tuesday, Aug. 4 - 6:00 – 9:30 a.m. Practice (shorts/ shirt/helmet) & Weights Wednesday, Aug. 5 – 5:45-8:45 AM Practice (shell) & Weights Thursday, Aug. 6 – 5:458:45 a.m. Practice (shell) & Weights Friday, Aug. 7 – 5:458:45 a.m. Practice (shell) & Weights (shell) Walkthroughs will be held 5 -6 p.m. Aug. 3-7.
Saturday, Aug 8 - 8:30 11:00 a.m. First day in full pads Monday, Aug. 10 - 5:458:45 a.m. Practice (full pads) & Weights Tuesday, Aug. 11 - 5:458:45 a.m. Practice & Weights Wednesday, Aug. 12 Weights/ST 5th Period; 4:00- 6:15 p.m. Practice Thursday, Aug 13 Weights/ST 5th Period; 4:00- 6:15 p.m. Practice (full pads) Friday, Aug. 14 SCRIMMAGE at Breckenridge 6:00 p.m.
Volleyball
Following the large amount of Lady Lions taking part in summer practice, the volleyball girls start their season with Midnight Madness games in gym 2 and 3 at Dublin Secondary from midnight to 2 a.m. Friday, July 31 to Saturday, Aug. 1.
Two-A-Days start Monday, Aug. 3 with morning practice from 7 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. and strength, conditioning and team bonding from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.
Cross Country
Workouts start Aug. 3 with the following schedule: 6:15 a.m. - Meet up at the HS - single tree by cemetery 6:20 a.m. - stretch 6:30 a.m. - start the run 7 a.m. - lift in weight room 7:30 a.m. - 2nd run 7:45 a.m. - stretch out 8 a.m. - finish