This week’s heatwave coincides with the first week the Illinois High School Association allows schools to have games for the fall sports season. At last night’s Wabash District #348 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said with temperatures close to 100 degrees and heat indices topping 115 yesterday, you’re going to see very few games being played…

Bleyer said the IHSA mandates no games or practices be held outdoors when the heat index is 104 or higher. The Aces football team beat the heat yesterday by practicing at 5:15am.

And the new artificial turf at Riverview Stadium absorbs heat pushing the surface temperature to 120 by week’s end according to Bleyer. Friday night’s season opening football game against Gibson Southern was pushed back an hour to 8pm. Gates at the Stadium will open at 6:30pm.

Bleyer said this week’s heat is even causing issues with students going outdoors after lunch or for recess. Appropriate safeguards are being taken in those instances as well.