Town officials voice support for the return of fall and winter sports
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. » Last week’s announcement by Gov. Andrew Cuomo allowing fall and winter high risk sports to start play next month may have delivered joy and relief to parents and student athletes across the county but one town official is taking no chances.
In a letter to Saratoga County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Daniel Kuhles written the same day as the governor’s announcement, Councilwoman Amy Standaert requested Kuhles publicly give his approval to the governor’s plan as required.
After learning of the governor’s and the state Department of Health announcement, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association formally announced that high risk sports had been authorized to begin practice and competition on Feb. 1 “if permitted by the respective local health authorities”.
The local health authority in Saratoga County is Kuhles.
In her letter to the health commissioner, Standaert emphasized how coaches and athletic directors across New York State, “have been diligently planning, preparing and executing proper safety measures and protocols to keep their athletes as safe as possible.” Student athletes, she wrote, “are disciplined and know how to adapt and overcome adversities on the court, the ice or on the field and they are well prepared to do so now”.
Standaert, who has two student athletes in the Shenendehowa School District, goes on to describe how the Saratoga County community has watched student athletes in other sports compete in the county while others were refused that privilege.
“With each competition and deserved accolade those of us whose athletes have been sidelined can’t help but feel an extreme sadness as we are forced to watch our own athletes suffer in their idleness,” she wrote. “Student-athletes are disciplined and know how to adapt and overcome adversities on the court, the ice, or on the field and they are well prepared to do so now.”
In an interview about the letter Standaert said she wanted Kuhles to know she was making the request for the residents of Clifton Park.
“I’ve been advocating there be high risk sports since summer; since we were put on the list,” she said. “Lots of parents and their kids are traveling and playing and they are suffering; they want the school teams. All the coaches and the parents are keeping the kids safe. The sports need to be reinstated. Trust us. We know what we’re doing.”
Three other members of the Clifton Park Town Board followed shortly with statements of their own about the possibility the sports would be given local approval.
Supervisor Philip Barrett described the governor’s announcement as a welcomed surprise adding that he would work with all the involved governmental entities to make it happen for Shen athletes and athletes across the county.
“We will keep everyone apprised as more information becomes available,” he said. “I am hopeful the decision will be truly a local decision as described in some news reports. In this circumstance, a local decision would include the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and Saratoga County Department of Health.”
Councilman Anthony Morelli said in his statement he thought the return of fall and winter sports was a muchneeded step toward normalcy for student-athletes.
“Whether it’s lacrosse, football, basketball, or any other sport, I am confident that our players and coaches can do so in a responsible manner,” he wrote. “I have spoken to and am working with my colleagues at the town and county level to understand the implications of the surprise announcement by Governor Cuomo and to develop solutions that allow our kids to get back on their respective fields in a manner that is safe to them, their families, and our community.”
Councilwoman Lynda Walowit focused her remarks on athletic scholarships and the chance that some students might miss an opportunity to obtain one if the sports do not return.
“I am most grateful for our athletes who will be dependent on college scholarships as the means to further their education,” she said.
Joining in on Twitter to lend their support for the return of the high risk sports were state senators Daphne Jordan, R-Halfmoon and Jim Tedisco, RGlenville.
“I support our schools and student athletes who want to compete! Let them play,” Tedisco said on the social media platform.
“I believe Shen can provide their student athletes with a safe season. GO SHEN,” Jordan wrote on her Twitter account.