Augusta Youth, HS Sports Teams Adjust Practice Times, Safety Rules as Heat Increases

Sports teams across Augusta have scrambled to rework their schedules as temperatures climb. Coaches shift workouts indoors.

Daniel Dorsey serves as athletic director and head football coach at Hephzibah High School. His squad retreats inside when the mercury soars. "We do our best to prepare players for the heat," Dorsey said to The Augusta Chronicle. "But with temperatures being so high when we get out of school during our normal practice times, it's hard to acclimate to it."

His team makes other changes when the sun beats down. "If it's really hot, we might practice without pads," Dorsey said. "I tell them to take the helmets and shoulder pads off to reduce exertion and the risk of heat exhaustion." He hauls four or five cases of water from Sam's Club each week, making sure his players can drink whenever they need to.

James Leonard holds the same positions at Aquinas High School. Trainers at his school watch wet-bulb temperatures like hawks. "We follow the guidelines strictly, and the Georgia High School Association has specific rules," Leonard said. "If the wet-bulb temperature is too high, practice can be delayed until conditions improve." His program now keeps cooling towels on hand, sets up tents in shaded spots, and runs fans that push out cool air.

Dr. Jessica Murfree teaches sport administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She warns that extreme heat brings serious danger. "Extreme heat can lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion and other exertional heat-related illnesses, as well as sunburn and dehydration," Murfree said. Kids face bigger threats than grown-ups because their bodies can't sweat as well yet.