On Friday, a decision to proceed with “low contact” high schools on September 29th was handed down by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. The NYSPHSAA also pushed the season for football, volleyball and cheer – “high contact sports” – to a March 1st start date.
Then came the calls to “let them play” the high contact sports from high school athletes and parents. At least a handful of Rye Garnet-geared students could be seen in the photos and video of the 90-odd protesters at the Westchester County Center Sunday, including Rye Garnet football quarterback Jack Griffiths. The event featured former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who is currently running for a NY State Senate seat.
“We don’t get why New York doesn’t want us to play,” said Liam Lavelle, one of the other Rye Garnet football players to take the ride over to White Plains for the protest, in an interview on LoHud video. “We see even colleges in New York playing. It’s just not fair to the kids. It’s not fair to any of us. We wanna play. And that’s it.”
On Twitter, Liam’s father Myles Lavelle, a former Rye Little League president, said “Thank you @RobAstorino for supporting the players and speaking on behalf of ALL sports being played this fall! Let them play”
The Tweet received 53 “likes” including ones from the official Rye Athletics account, Rye Athletic Director Susan Reid Dullea and Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Margo Hackett. It also received a “like” from Rob Astorino.
Here is the LoHud video story on the protest:
NY State is really hurting these kids. If they’re playing college and pro football why not high school. High school kids aren’t even susceptible to the virus. You are destroying these young people. Let them PLAY