Nebraska high school football teams practice before sunrise to beat oppressive heat
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Record-breaking heat is settling in across Nebraska for the week, and it’s interfering with high school sports.
Coaches use a special thermometer before practice to make sure it’s a safe temperature. And they aren’t likely to get safe readings this week.
The thermometer measures the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which is heat stress in direct sunlight. It’s based on temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.
With temperatures topping 100 degrees, and heat indices even high, several schools are getting football practice done before sunrise.
Players with Parkview Christian started their Monday practice at 5:30 a.m. Lincoln Southwest’s team also met in the dark to get some cooler and safe reps in.
#ParkviewProud of these football eerie silhouettes at work at 5:30 this morning committing to a great workout to start the week in advance of the hot day! pic.twitter.com/roFnFuEqyB
— Parkview Christian (@PCSPatriots) August 21, 2023
Up early to train! pic.twitter.com/YCVUP6SkmN
— LSW Football (@LSWHawkFB) August 21, 2023
Lincoln East’s football team also practiced before sunrise Monday morning.
NSAA Assistant Director Ron Higdon said these early practices are “a smart move and proactive.”
He said moving practices indoors and even canceling practices can also be necessary to beat the heat.
Rise and grind.#RollSparts pic.twitter.com/znh2NdYuDl
— Lincoln East Football (@LEHS_FB) August 21, 2023
And football practice hasn’t been the only concern. Games in other sports have been postponed, and more could follow suit.
Lincoln Public Schools has canceled all outdoor athletic competitions set for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Waverly High School announced that its softball game against Elkhorn set for Tuesday has been rescheduled for Sept. 21.
Due to the excessive heat, softball vs. Elkhorn scheduled for tomorrow has bee postponed. The varsity game has been rescheduled to September 21st. Once/if we are able to work something out with JV, we will communicate that out. The activity calendar has been updated.
— Waverly High School (@145activities) August 21, 2023
Beatrice football has moved its Thursday night game against Omaha Gross to Friday. It will now be played at Bellevue East High School.
Due to anticipated heat, Thursday night’s game vs Omaha Gross has been moved to Friday night and will now be played at Bellevue East High School.#EmbraceTheTradition#SetTheStandard
— Beatrice Orangemen Football (@OrangeGridiron) August 21, 2023
Other teams are expected to take similar precautions with the heat.
The oppressive heat is forecast to last much of the week, with several days seeing a high above 100.
Lincoln, and much of eastern Nebraska, is under an excessive heat warning through Thursday.
