Let The Freshmen Play
Let The Freshmen Play
To the Editor:
As a parent, educator, and coach, I would like to salute this yearâs Newtown High Freshmen Football Team and the coaches. I know it takes a lot of determination, hard work, and sweat to compile an 8-0-1 canceled one-half tie record.
Everyone understands how a football team can win eight games and lose zero. But let me explain how this team got a game canceled and had a one-half tie. During the week of the Law game we had a great deal of rain and because the soccer team was involved in their playoffs, the soccer game had to be played on the practice field instead of on the stadium field. I spoke to Mr Simon the athletic director at NHS and he told me he couldnât have both games played side by side because of the fans. He also said he would do everything possible to have the football game played. In my opinion Mr Simon did what was easier. Cancel the freshmen football game. (What Mr Simon should have also kept in mind was that the freshmen team even before the season started lost an opportunity to play another game against Brookfield).
The last freshmen football game against Masuk was played the week of November 17. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, but the second half was played in the dark. The fourth quarter was so dark that parents at the game standing two feet apart couldnât see each other. Playing half of the game in total darkness to me equals one-half a game. (Let me add that this was the last game going to be played on the stadium field until the spring of 2004, so why not give the freshmen a game at the stadium).
Mr Simon, the principal of NHS, Newtown Park and Rec, or whomever is in charge of making the decision to play on the stadium field will have to be wiser in the future. Was it better to just cancel a game and risk players being seriously hurt in another game rather than play on the new sodded field in the stadium?
I have two questions to those in charge. Why did we put new sod on the field if we arenât going to use it? Should we expect a refund from the $200 pay-to-play fee we were charged because we didnât play one (really two) and one-half games?
To be helpful I have two ideas for the future. Next year let the freshmen play in the parking lot. At least there are lights. Or, let the freshmen play at Taylor Field, where the Newtown Pop Warner Teams play. I assure you as a parent of Pop Warner players no team could ever harm this âmudâ hole. Nothing is done by our Rec Department to keep Taylor Field from being an embarrassment to all who play there.
Thank you,
Joe DeVellis
44 Key Rock Road, Newtown                              December 15, 2003