More local schools cancel fall sports

Archdiocese hopes to play in spring; Unionville board says Indians won’t play

Three Chester County high schools won’t be playing any fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More may follow this week. On Monday, the Philadelphia Archdiocese announced none of its schools would play fall sports this season. Largely, that means the members of the Philadelphia Catholic League, including Devon Prep. But it also includes two Archdiocesan schools that play in District 1 leagues: Bishop Shanahan of the Ches-Mont League, and Pope John Paul II of the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

Also in the Ches-Mont League: In a Facebook post on Monday, Unionville football coach Pat Clark revealed that the Indians will not play fall sports.

The Archdiocese hopes to play fall sports this spring, and Clark said the same in his post on Monday.

Bishop Shanahan head football coach and associate athletic director Paul Meyers confirmed that the school was informed of the Archdiocese’s decision Monday.

“The kids have been putting in a lot of work,” Meyers said. “We were ready to go. We were working five days a week. But, I understand the tough situation the Archdiocese was in. Once the governor recommended no sports until January, it put every school board and everybody’s superintendent’s back against the wall. We will continue to do offseason workouts with the hope the PIAA allows a February/March season. If and when they do, we will be ready.”

“After much careful thought, consultation, and prayer a decision has been reached that all of our high schools will opt out of participation in interscholastic competition for the fall 2020 season,” a statement released by the Archdiocese said. “We recognize that this news is disappointing to many of our students, families and coaches, particularly our seniors. It saddens us greatly as well. We recognize the value of athletics as part of our educational philosophy that seeks to provide for the holistic formation of young men and women of character. This is not the scenario any of us desired.”

The Archdiocese’s decision means neither the Catholic League nor Philadelphia Public League, which earlier this month postponed its sports through Jan. 1, will have teams compete this fall.

“We are confident that PIAA will seek to provide alternative solutions for those entities opting out of fall programs in the coming semester,” the statement said. “The pandemic has made every aspect of life unpredictable for all of us over the past several months. As we continue to live in a time of uncertainty, it would be imprudent to speculate regarding an exact time when competitions will resume or regarding the status of spring semester athletics. In keeping with our commitment, we will share timely information with you about developments and decisions affecting our schools.”

Clark’s Facebook post was directed at the Unionville community.

“I just finished meeting with our team and delivered a really lousy message,” Clark wrote. “Our teams will not be proceeding this fall. Please know that I appreciate all of their efforts and I know how frustrated they must feel. I am especially broken-hearted for our seniors who were looking forward to Friday nights in the fall. I admire and appreciate all of the time that they put into preparing for their senior year. We will celebrate their efforts and recognize their commitment to Unionville Football. My hope is that the PIAA grants us a spring season where we will be able to compete against other schools where they get a chance to enjoy those special Friday nights!”

Other Chester County school districts have board meetings scheduled this week where high school sports will be on the agenda.

PETE BANNAN — MNG FILE Bishop Shanahan head coach Paul Meyers is hoping his Eagles will have a chance to play in the spring.