After months and months of only scattered tidbits of local sports stories, The News’ sports pages have burst at the seams since Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration allowed contact sports to resume in early February.

Hockey. Boys and girls basketball. New coaches in Atlanta. Alpena Community College volleyball. ACC’s cross country team earning academic all-American honors.

When Whitmer made the announcement, we urged athletic directors and others to make sure they did all they could to keep athletes safe. By all accounts, that’s happened, with no major issues reported linked to Northeast Michigan athletics.

Sports are more than points on the board or season records. They teach responsibility and determination. They keep our kids physically fit. For some students, they provide the focus and incentive needed to stay engaged academically. And they build lasting memories and friendships.

By the looks of things, our athletic directors, coaches, and student athletes have been busy squeezing in as much action as possible after a season truncated by the coronavirus. Thanks go to them for giving our kids some sense of normalcy.