Time to trade in the sandals and swimsuits for the cleats and uniforms

Not far from the intersection where East Dunstable Road meets with Lamb Road and then continues left toward Spit Brook Road in Nashua, there is a sign for Bicentennial Elementary School.

Having been a student there a long, long time ago, I don’t recall if it was there in those days, but it has been there for some time since. At some point in the last few years, someone clever was put in charge of updating what goes on the sign.

When I drove by the other day, there was a reminder for parents and students.

“‘I’m bored and have nothing to do’ ends on Aug. 26.”

The first time I drove by it, I felt like I’d been seen.

OK, so I didn’t have “nothing to do” for most of the summer, and I guess I wasn’t bored. But outside of a couple of weekend trips to Vermont, the majority of my break was spent either at my desk or taking video of summer league games, where it seemed someone different was asking my why I was there every week.

Gotta keep busy, was usually my response, and there was at least some truth to that. The end of the spring sports season is so abrupt, one moment I’m watching teams celebrate championships, and in no time, everyone has scattered for the summer.

Well, over the next few days, it’s official for high school coaches and athletes: Summer is over.

Same for me, and I couldn’t be more excited, and yes, there is a thousand percent chance I regret that statement in three weeks.

But for right now, I’m pumped to get high school sports back underway, if no other reason then because of what I’ve got planned for this fall and beyond.

• The Ninth State Sports Show podcasts are also back. While we’re still in need of sponsors for both shows, the first episodes will be recorded in the coming days. Field hockey will once again be on Mondays and football will be posted on Tuesdays, starting next week. And I may have some more big news surrounding those in the weeks to come.
• Speaking of big news, make sure you listen to our football podcast on Tuesday for a special announcement. Mike Lochman and I will be revealing the team I’ll be following for The Season and we’ll have an interview with the head coach.
• In case you missed the Instagram post earlier this week, the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center is on board to sponsor both the football and field hockey coaches polls this fall. Preseason polls will be released on Aug. 28 (field hockey) and Sept. 5 (football).
• For the first time in a few years, I’ll be offering Sports Insider Field Hockey Memberships. To learn more about those, go here, but do it fast, because these won’t be offered for long.

And finally, let me just say thank you to everyone who has supported this site over the last 15-plus years, whether it was with a membership or as a sponsor, or as a frequent visitor. I really can’t express enough what that support has meant over the years, because without you, I couldn’t continue to do this.

And with that, welcome back, high school sports!