Spring state tourneys are on
MIAA Board votes to hold championships
The MIAA Board of Directors has spoken and spring student-athletes are a happy group of campers right now.
Five days after approving a sectional tournament with the provision that a survey be sent to member schools to gauge their interest in extending the tourney to include state semifinals and finals, the Board voted 14-7 in favor of going ahead with a state tournament.
“I’m extremely excited that they are giving us the opportunity to play for a state championship this season,” said Austin Prep standout shortstop Jake Elbeery. “I can’t wait to compete with my teammates, something we missed out on last year. I’m just very excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to get going.”
One of the “yes” votes was cast by Cambridge athletic director Tom Arria, who has been a staunch proponent of having a state tournament from the getgo.
“First of all, the spring student-athletes lost more than anyone else when it comes to high school sports — they missed out on everything last year,” Arria said. “I feel where we are now in terms of improvements in the pandemic and, God-willing, it continues to improve, there is no reason why we shouldn’t keep things as close to normal as possible provided it is safe.
“The (Tournament Management Committee) came up with a good proposal (for a sectional tournament). Within that proposal, I think we can do two more games to get a state champion. A lot of things were said about why we can or can’t, but when it comes down to it, schools do have the decision to opt-in or opt-out. That’s why we’ve allowed districts to make decisions which work best for their community.”
Another “yes” vote was cast by Duxbury athletic director Thom Holdgate.
“If we are having a sectional tournament, how can we not go two games further?” Holdgate said. “I find it difficult to imagine how we can’t do that. It’s really not that much of a stretch.”
The push began 10 days ago when the TMC voted unanimously to allow the sports in the spring to have a sectional tournament, but stopped short of giving its blessing for holding a state tournament.
Coaches in a variety of different spring sports expressed their disapproval, none more vociferously than Needham volleyball coach David Powell.
He’s made his feelings known through social media as well as various media outlets. Tuesday night, he spoke in front of a group of student-athletes at a symbolic rally in the parking lot of the MIAA headquarters. “I couldn’t be happier, people fought really hard for this,” Powell said. “When things like this break your way, it’s really satisfying. I’m so grateful to the MIAA leadership to make it happen and to people like Tommy Arria, who was really supportive. I’m just super grateful to have the opportunity to coach my kids once again.”
The Board also acted on a motion by Mt. Greylock athletic director Lindsay von Holtz that the cutoff of June 15 as recommended by the TMC not be adjusted. That passed by a 15-3 vote, meaning the TMC will get to work shortly to establish the parameters for a true spring state championship season in June.