Oxbridge elaborates on the end of football

After meeting with parents and players Monday to discuss its decision to shut down the football program, Oxbridge Academy elaborated on its decision Tuesday night in an email sent out to the school community.

The West Palm Beach private school, which announced last week it wouldn’t be offering football next season, met with parents and players on Monday night in a closeddoor meeting to discuss the move. Following the meeting, the school sent out a press release reaffirming its decision.

“Our decision has not changed,” the email stated. “However, a number of new suggestions were made this evening, which we are reviewing.”

On Tuesday, the school attempted to clarify its decision. In an email obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Head of School John Klemme elaborated on the West Palm Beach private school’s decision not to offer football.

“The fact remains that at this time we do not have enough players to play safely next year,” Klemme said. “Football is an extremely position-specific sport, and it is imperative to have the right match of players for each position. The FHSAA required we finalize our 2018-2019 schedule on March 30, 2018. That schedule cannot be changed. We do not have enough players to safely play our schedule.”

The Class 3A state runner-up, the ThunderWolves graduated 15 of their 41 players from last season and saw eight players transfer out in the spring.

“At last night’s meeting, some parents indicated they have information about players and potential players they would like us to consider. We are granting this request and are reviewing information the parents provided this afternoon. However, as we explained to the parents, the list of prospective players they provide must include a sufficient number of athletes who meet the physical requirements of open key positions on the team.

“We also listened to several parents and players who spoke to us privately after the meeting, stating their support of the program. However, the parents told us their children cannot fill the open positions necessary for us to safely play a varsity season next year and the students stated they are not interested in filling key positions.”