When Gov. Charlie Baker closed all schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 calendar year on April 21, and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) ruled that all spring sports were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, Tim Collins wasn’t surprised. And, although he was disappointed for all student-athletes, he fully understood the rationale.

 “We’re disappointed about the cancellation of spring sports but it’s important to maintain perspective,’’ said Collins, who’s been Natick High’s athletic director for 10 years. “This is about the health and safety of everyone — student-athletes, the community, the state and the country. That’s what’s important and it’s heartwarming to see people in Natick helping one another. It’s also a blessing to see people on the front lines, like police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and doctors and nurses doing a job knowing their health is at risk.’’

 Collins, who was an athlete and coach at Walpole High, trusts the Governor and the MIAA’s leadership on one hand, but he also understands the value student-athletes place on athletics.

 “Seniors worked hard and were eager to compete for championships,’’ he said. “For many of them, this was the last time they were going to play a competitive sport. For juniors, this was going to be their proving ground for colleges interested in recruiting them. And, the ripple effect filters down to freshmen and sophomores who wanted to show they belong on a varsity roster.’’

 Throughout April, as Collins awaited the decision on whether schools would reopen, he was hopeful athletics would be spared. “I kept hope alive for a shorter season,’’ he said. “Student-athletes choose to play sports; they’re activities they volunteer for. I’m disappointed they didn’t get the chance to compete.’’

 The Bay State Conference athletic directors prepared weekly during the shutdown to have a schedule and format in place for an abbreviated season.

 “We had a 10-game schedule where we would have played all of the nine other BSC teams,’’ Collins noted. “Our 10th game would have been against our Thanksgiving rival (Framingham). If teams such as softball, baseball, tennis and lacrosse qualified for the MIAA tourney, then they would have played by their rules. For teams that failed to qualify, there would have been a round-robin tourney with schools in either the BSC, the Tri Valley League or the Hockomock League.’’

 Collins said that jayvee and freshman teams would have played 10 games, then scheduled games against BSC teams to conclude their seasons. “As for boys and girls track, they would have had meets, and the league A.D.s had agreed that there would have been a unified track season.’’

 During the down time, Collins, who worked from home, contacted the BSC’s other A.D.s and his coaching staff often. Whenever new information was available, he met with his coaches via email, phone or google-meet (a version of zoom and skype). Weekly meetings were held with all coaches and there also were weekly meetings with spring coaches.

 “A lot of virtual coaching went on,’’ Collins offered. “Athletes were advised to work out individually and specific workouts were given to focus on a variety of skills. Students need to connect with their classmates and virtual coaching provided guidance and connection. It was a way of navigating during uncertain times.’’

 Collins is acutely aware that the pandemic has changed the world and also sports. He knows there’ll be short-term changes and other alterations long-term. Will there be handshakes after games? Will water bottles and coolers be available? What about locker-room spacing? And, what will be the guidelines for spectators?

 “The MIAA has a Sports Medicine Committee, which is comprised of doctors, nurses, EMTs, trainers, and coaches,’’ Collins said. “Provisional guidelines were in place, for the spring and also for August, when pre-season practices begin for the new school year. There’s also on-going research in progress with the Mass. Department of Health.’’

 Collins recalls how unfortunate it was when winter sports teams were set to battle for State championships on March 14. But, two days earlier, the tourney finals were called off by the MIAA as the virus became more threatening. The Franklin High girls basketball team, which had eliminated Natick, was 25-0 and more than likely on its way to a State title if it faced Andover.

 “You feel terrible for programs where players dreamed of competing in a State final,’’ Collins said. “But, the MIAA did the right thing. I’m sure that players who were upset then, now fully understand the decision to cancel those games.’’

 Collins isn’t sure about Natick’s strength and conditioning program this summer, which starts June 29. “Right now, all summer camps, clinics, conditioning programs and AAU sports are on hold,’’ he said.

 A veteran A.D., Collins has seen his share of games get postponed or canceled. And, the reason has usually been because of inclement weather. There have been a few cases, however, where power failures have forced delays or postponements.

 “I never thought a virus would cause this kind of situation,’’ Collins said. “None of us have had any training on a pandemic. We’ve never had a class or a course to refer to. My dad coached at Walpole High during the blizzard of 1978 and games were postponed or canceled for weeks. But a pandemic is something that no one thought about dealing with.’’

The coronavirus has changed the landscape of high school sports and its effects will continue to force State government, the MIAA and school administrators to adjust.

​Natick High’s athletic staff was flexible in its preparation to deal with the virus and it remains ready to adjust to whatever the future calls for.