Last week the PIAA announced that fall sports would be allowed to go on with restrictions due to COVID-19. The districts of PIAA then left it up to individual school districts to decide whether they could operate safely within the parameters of the restrictions. Across Northwest Pennsylvania practices started today (Monday). But there was one more thing that needed to be done - school boards had to approve the plan presented by athletic directors and administrations.
That little bit business was taken care of in meetings Monday night at Valley Grove, Cranberry, Franklin and Oil City.
So game on!
That little bit business was taken care of in meetings Monday night at Valley Grove, Cranberry, Franklin and Oil City.
So game on!
In Franklin, athletic director Becky Barnes laid out the plan for all sports to the school board. She went over the safety protocols that have been put in place and explained all coaches are aware what needs to take place in order to continue. She explained schedules are evolving as other school districts are deciding what they will do and what teams will be allowed to travel and how. But Franklin has a plan in place that unfortunately, at this point, does not include fans.
"From an athletes point of view I am happy for [the students]. From an athletic trainer and health point of view we have to be smart," Barnes said. "The kids have been good about the masks and hand sanitizer." She said she met with each squad before their practices to lay out what was expected of everyone involved.
Barnes also mentioned she is working to get everything live streamed in some way so the games can be watched. The board seemed satisfied with what Barnes presented.
Board president Brian Spaid asked if a vote on Barnes plan could cover fall and winter sports if nothing changes at the state level or with COVID-19. Barnes didn't see why not. The board then voted unanimously to go ahead with the programs.
"From an athletes point of view I am happy for [the students]. From an athletic trainer and health point of view we have to be smart," Barnes said. "The kids have been good about the masks and hand sanitizer." She said she met with each squad before their practices to lay out what was expected of everyone involved.
Barnes also mentioned she is working to get everything live streamed in some way so the games can be watched. The board seemed satisfied with what Barnes presented.
Board president Brian Spaid asked if a vote on Barnes plan could cover fall and winter sports if nothing changes at the state level or with COVID-19. Barnes didn't see why not. The board then voted unanimously to go ahead with the programs.
Up Route 8, Oil City parents and coaches weren't exactly sure what the outcome for their fall programs was going to be. Over the last week rumors were spread around that the board was split on whether it was safe enough to put kids on the field or court or trails or the links. Several parents and grandparents positioned themselves outside Hasson Elementary School Monday with signs and a message to the board members that they want their kids to play.
Jacquelne Van Wormer has two children on the football team, one is a senior. She said there are 21 seniors on the team. "It would be sad if the seniors don't get a chance to play," she said. Standing next to Van Wormer was Alicia York, who is a cousin to head football coach Dan York. She was there for another reason, her son, James Williams, plays trumpet in the band. The band and cheerleaders have always represented what the Friday night football experience was all about. "I'm furious," said Williams about the prospect of not being able to play at the games.
What wasn't known just yet, was what the official feeling of the board.
Inside the meeting only six people were given a chance to speak due to the capacity limits of the COVID-19 restrictions handed down from the state. But the six were able to lay out the thoughts of those outside.
Jacquelne Van Wormer has two children on the football team, one is a senior. She said there are 21 seniors on the team. "It would be sad if the seniors don't get a chance to play," she said. Standing next to Van Wormer was Alicia York, who is a cousin to head football coach Dan York. She was there for another reason, her son, James Williams, plays trumpet in the band. The band and cheerleaders have always represented what the Friday night football experience was all about. "I'm furious," said Williams about the prospect of not being able to play at the games.
What wasn't known just yet, was what the official feeling of the board.
Inside the meeting only six people were given a chance to speak due to the capacity limits of the COVID-19 restrictions handed down from the state. But the six were able to lay out the thoughts of those outside.
“We know there are risks,” said parent and volunteer golf coach Mark Motter. “But always the risk to reward ratio had been left up to the parents…. I see no difference this year.”
Motter was addressing the board for the second time in his life. The first being nearly 30 years ago when he was requesting permission to start a golf team at the high school. Now he was trying to save this season so his son Charlie can play.
“Today I stand before you asking you to continue that very same golf program that I asked you to start, along with all the other fall sports,” he said.
Other parents took the opportunity to remind the board of the physical, leadership, mental and academic benefits sports offer teenagers.
The lack of athletics would create a “significant void” said parent Shelly Stahl, who is the wife of Oil City's principal Scott Stahl.
Scott also voiced his opinion. He said his son Logan will miss his senior year of college at Carnegie Mellon because of COVID-19. But he said his son has his head straight on his shoulders. He told his dad he feels bad for younger players who aren't getting the chance to play. He's had three years of college ball and a full high school run to play the sport he loves. The Stahls have two children still playing at Oil City.
Motter was addressing the board for the second time in his life. The first being nearly 30 years ago when he was requesting permission to start a golf team at the high school. Now he was trying to save this season so his son Charlie can play.
“Today I stand before you asking you to continue that very same golf program that I asked you to start, along with all the other fall sports,” he said.
Other parents took the opportunity to remind the board of the physical, leadership, mental and academic benefits sports offer teenagers.
The lack of athletics would create a “significant void” said parent Shelly Stahl, who is the wife of Oil City's principal Scott Stahl.
Scott also voiced his opinion. He said his son Logan will miss his senior year of college at Carnegie Mellon because of COVID-19. But he said his son has his head straight on his shoulders. He told his dad he feels bad for younger players who aren't getting the chance to play. He's had three years of college ball and a full high school run to play the sport he loves. The Stahls have two children still playing at Oil City.
Several parents also pointed to the recreational leagues many children were enrolled in throughout the summer months.
“Student athletes will play sports this fall,” parent Amber Guiste noted. Her question to the board was whether it would be under the safety and health guidelines the school would have in place or the more lax environment offered by some recreational programs?
Another parent, George Svolos, pointed out that the students have been routinely following the guidelines during optional practices already held.
“They just want to play and be kids,” Svolos said. “We must give our children a chance.”
After the impassioned pleas, the board unanimously voted to let the fall sports go as planned.
A few moments later when the news reached them, cheers from the parents outside could be heard through the walls and even on the Zoom meeting.
The board had also addressed the topic of spectators.
“We are going to need the help of the community,” said board member Mark Kerr regarding the PIAA mandate that sports be held with only the athletes, coaches and support staff to keep under the 250 maximum mandate.
“It’s going to take the community to follow the rules, the guidelines, the recommendations – visitors, spectators and fans," board president Joseph McFadden said.
Oil City also is looking into live streaming the events for the families during this difficult time of sacrifice.
“Student athletes will play sports this fall,” parent Amber Guiste noted. Her question to the board was whether it would be under the safety and health guidelines the school would have in place or the more lax environment offered by some recreational programs?
Another parent, George Svolos, pointed out that the students have been routinely following the guidelines during optional practices already held.
“They just want to play and be kids,” Svolos said. “We must give our children a chance.”
After the impassioned pleas, the board unanimously voted to let the fall sports go as planned.
A few moments later when the news reached them, cheers from the parents outside could be heard through the walls and even on the Zoom meeting.
The board had also addressed the topic of spectators.
“We are going to need the help of the community,” said board member Mark Kerr regarding the PIAA mandate that sports be held with only the athletes, coaches and support staff to keep under the 250 maximum mandate.
“It’s going to take the community to follow the rules, the guidelines, the recommendations – visitors, spectators and fans," board president Joseph McFadden said.
Oil City also is looking into live streaming the events for the families during this difficult time of sacrifice.
Cranberry and Valley Grove, who co-op some sports with Oil City and Franklin, but also have their own fall sports, also unanimously agreed to let the fall season begin. Not to be out shined by football, the area schools offer girls volleyball, boys and girls tennis, soccer, golf and cross-country to their students.
Game on!
Jill Harry contributed to this story
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