It was an announcement that was expected.

Colorado High School Activities Association Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green revealed on April 22 in a statement to athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and school communities that the spring sports seasons have been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Blanford-Green in the statement said, “Around the nation more than 30 other state associations have made the difficult decision to cancel their spring season. We hoped that Colorado medical and health data would provide reassurances that we could go in a different direction. Unfortunately that will not be the case. The 2020 spring season is canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which is affecting communities across the world.

“On April 20, Governor Polis announced a transition to `Safer at Home' guidelines, which included the cancellation of in-person learning for the remainder of the school year. The decisions to cancel the spring sports season aligns with these new guidelines.”

Cherry Creek baseball coach Marc Johnson agrees that the spring sports season should be suspended.

“We all knew this was coming,” said Johnson. “I feel so bad for the kids. As much as I would love and want to be playing, it was a good decision. I am going to accept what it is and when it is time, I will move on.”

ThunderRidge baseball coach Brad Johnson had similar thoughts.

“I am heartbroken for all our seniors that they did not have the chance to complete this season,” he said.

Blanford-Green also had a message for seniors in her statement.

“Our hats off to the many seniors that have shown maturity and resolve as their culminating year of high school has been impacted beyond activities and athletics due to worldwide COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “The Class of 2020 will not be forgotten.”

Jack Tuttle, a senior lacrosse player at Castle View, wasn't happy with the cancellation of the season.

“I think we were really going to turn some heads this year and missing the opportunity really stinks,” he said.

In her statement, Blanford-Green also said that the regulations outlined in the previous CHSAA spring moratorium would remain until June 1 even if federal and state guidelines are relaxed. That means no student and/or coach contact in an activity or athletic setting prior to June 1.

After June 1, all decisions regarding student and coach contact, virtual workouts, virtual tryouts and eighth-grade contact will be made at the local level.

Now the question that most people have is about the fall high school sports seasons.

“Our fingers are crossed and hopes are that the Association will be able to conduct a fall season with some level of normalcy,” she said in the statement. “Our office will be entirely focused on contingency plans for the 2020 fall season and beyond if they should be needed.”