'Let Them Play': Parents Protest Moving Fall Sports To 2021

MATTITUCK, NY — Parents are gathering on the North Fork to protest a statewide decision to postpone fall sports until 2021.

Initiallhy, the state delayed the start of the fall sports season to Sept. 21. But last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that football, volleyball and competitive cheerleading — which are deemed high-risk sports — would be delayed until 2021 statewide.

Echoing a cry of "Let them play," parents and community members from Riverhead, North Fork and other East End districts will gather at the rally, scheduled for Friday, September 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Those attending are asked to wear jerseys, and school gear and make signs, as well as adhere to social distancing.

"This was organized to express how disappointed we are about the decision to move fall sports to 2021," said Jennifer Nemschick, a parent in the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District. "We want Section XI to hear us. With the COVID numbers being the lowest yet to date, let the kids play the low risk sports. The numbers will not stay this low after the weather gets cold and we are all inside, with no chance of playing any sports. Let them play now!"

Students, Nemschick said, have faced a mental, emotional and physical toll during the pandemic. "They have lost so much over the last six months," she said. "Some athletes will have nothing to provide for college scholarships — and for some kids, it will be the last time they play on a team."

She addressed those school districts that state they cannot provide safe transportation or locker rooms for students, and the officials who have said they have concerns for their own health.

"What will change in January? The problems will exist still. Schools need to find a way that works for them," she said.

The rally, all agreed, is meant to send a statewide message and is not focused on the Mattituck-Union School District, which voted Thursday to kick off a fall intramural program on September 29.

"We are very grateful that Mattituck- Cutchogue had voted to play and came up with a wonderful intramural program in the interim," Nemschick said.

The program will offer the opportunity for students in grades 7 to 12 to participate in after-school activities through November 19 on Mondays through Thursdays between the hours of 2:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The activities will include tennis, cross country, soccer and flag football, the district said in a letter to parents.

Students interested in participating in the intramural program will only be allowed to participate on the day in which he/she is attending classes for students grades 9 to 12 or by the designated team color for students in grades 7 and 8. The district will follow the school calendar for either a blue day or gold day, the district said.

Other parents spoke about Friday's rally.

"We are joining with many other districts in Suffolk county to have our voices heard regarding the decision of Section Xl to not resume sports on September 21 as previously stated," said Lisa Fox. "Student athletes want and need to play sports! They have given up so much this last year and there is no end in sight. Our seniors are especially hard hit by this decision. This is their last chances to get recruited by colleges. And they are losing their chances of taking on leadership roles, such as team captain. There is no chance of championships. My son Connor, who is in the 12th grade, said, 'We have done everything they have asked us to do. Sports are a way of life for me,'" she said.

Fox added: "Our district is very supportive of our athletes and all of our students. They recognize that students need engagement outside the classroom. Next week, a few clubs will start up and our athletic director has put together a plan for intramurals, announced last night. That is a great alternative. But we are still hoping to have our voices heard and support our athletes."

Other parents lauded the intramural plan but said ideally, it would be best for the kids to play within Section XI against other schools and have the games be officially noted on their records.

"It's great that Mattituck has agreed to do intramurals, but it doesn't replace the fact that high school students seasons' are still being crunched," said parent Lauren Gilbert. Students are not being seen by colleges or able to play against other schools, she added.

"It's really important to keep the pressure on section XI, just like other schools, to make it clear that we don't want the regular fall season delayed. They can still change this decision," Gilbert said.