New Providence High School is known for being a competitive sports school with many Conference, Division, and State championships. This year was different in more ways than one, given the pandemic. However, the Athletic Department took precautions and made sure athletes had the opportunity to continue and play their sports all three seasons.  

Head of the Athletic department, Vincent Carangelo, said, “We have had to be flexible in planning for each season and working around these constant changes. Players and coaches have had to adapt to wearing masks and social distancing whenever possible. It has been a challenge to say the least, but a rewarding experience for all.” 

Many sports were not able to continue and be involved to the extent that they would in previous years. There was a limit on the amount of fans at certain games, a different style of preseason, delays in sports and masks of course. For many the biggest challenge was probably there being no student section at Friday night football games. 

However, many people fail to realize the different positives that have come out of this new approach to sports this year. There was a limit on the number of fans at games, and because of that we were introduced to live-streaming games and even creating a YouTube channel for NPHS sports. 

Mr. Carangelo has loved the opportunity to stream as many games as possible.

“We are not only going to continue this (next year), but expand on it. We are installing a hardwired auto capture camera on the press box of Lieder Field that will allow us to stream all games (Freshman, JV, V) that are played on Lieder,” he said.

Another silver-lining for sports has been the change in season dates from start to finish. Spring sports seasons are now much later, continuing into June. This allows players to take advantage of the spring weather. 

The Athletic Department at NPHS supports the idea that multi-sport athletes will benefit from slightly shorter regular seasons and pre-seasons.  The NJSIAA now seems to realize this, and is creating more “breaks” between seasons.

Another big question students are having is whether or not the student section will be allowed back at Friday night football games. Mr. Carangelo says this is still unknown because the state and country guidelines are constantly changing. However, it is moving in a positive direction.  We are hoping for as much normalcy as possible next year. 

“It would be great to see the full student section and crowded bleachers next year,” he said.

As of right now, the Athletic Department is planning for a typical fall season, with a full schedule and full playoffs, something student athletes weren’t able to experience completely last year, so everyone is excited. 

“The opportunities to compete, life lessons we are able to teach and learn, and lifelong bonds we are able to create are invaluable and irreplaceable. I think our coaches and student athletes have realized just how much they love their sports as a result of losing out on so much this past Spring,” said Mr. Carangelo. 

Through all this, the biggest takeaway everyone has taken is just how important high school sports are to our lives.