El Paso High School suspends on-campus workouts out of Covid-19 precaution; Other schools follow suit
EL PASO, Texas -- Amid the growing cases of Covid-19 in the city, El Paso High School is suspending all football, volleyball, and cheer workouts effective immediately.
No member of the El Paso High athletic community has tested positive or showed symptoms of Covid-19, but Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach Ray Aguilar Jr. is making this decision out of precaution.
In a statement released on social media Sunday, Aguilar Jr. said that suspending workouts is the best course of action to protect the health of the student-athletes.
El Paso High's decision marked the first time an area school has shut down workouts without reporting a COVID-19 case or symptoms.
In the aftermath of El Paso High's decision to suspend its workouts, Chapin High School, Irvin High School, Austin High School, and Canutillo High School each followed suit in suspending all athletics on campus.
Burges High School suspended its football workouts as well, but is still holding volleyball strength training.
"Honestly when El Paso High pulled the plug I was very happy," said Chapin High School Principal Al Marsh after pulling the plug himself. "It made my decision a lot easier."
Aguilar Jr. was hired at El Paso High from San Elizario on April 7th and has yet to coach a game for the Tigers, but with this decision he's made clear his number one priority is the care and safety of his student athletes.
"Just looking at from a father standpoint what I would want if my kid was out there," Aguilar tells ABC-7 of his decision making. "And seeing what was going on in the news and what you hear, I just felt like it was the best decision for our kids and keeping our kids safe and also for our coaches."
Aguilar also tells ABC-7 that he will re-evaluate things in 2-3 weeks, and that no other coaches from other schools have reached out to him.
On Saturday, YISD shut down all workouts after a Riverside High School coach tested positive for Covid-19.
