STAR JOURNAL

Rhinelander was one of more than 200 school districts in Wisconsin that honored the 2020 spring sports athletes whose seasons are in limbo. High school seniors are unsure whether they will have the opportunity to suit up for their final season.

The coronavirus emergency has shut down businesses, school classes are taught online and athletic fields sit dark and empty. Last week the Twitter hashtag #BeTheLightWI rallied schools together with the idea of lighting up stadiums, baseball and softball fields and tennis courts to honor the class of 2020 athletes. School District of Rhinelander Activities Director Brian Paulson said the district participated as a way of saying to seniors, “You’ve put in a lot of work over the years and we support you.”

Mike Webster Stadium and track, and Stafford Field were lit up for 20 minutes Friday night, Paulson said, adding that the lights at Pioneer Park’s softball field were not working and there are no lights on the tennis courts.  The WIAA Board of Control is meeting Tuesday, April 22, and is expected to consider the future of the state’s spring sports season.

Photos by Bob Mainhardt.