Seaford is a sports town again

A year ago, voters in the Seaford School District passed a budget that restored a full middle-school sports program for the first time in five years. Student athletes have welcomed the change, particularly eighth-graders, who were limited to just fall sports last year.

Middle-school sports were scaled back during a period of financial difficulty in Seaford, which included declining state aid and the implementation of the tax cap. Each year, the school offered just one season’s worth of sports.

Students tout the benefits of a full year of sports — increased school spirit, staying active and increased motivation to do well in their classes.

“If your grades are low, you’re not allowed to play sports,” said eighth-grader Thomas Viscio. “I like to keep them high so I can play on the team.”

After being limited to just football last year, Thomas also wrestled in the winter and is playing lacrosse this spring. He plans to continue with all three sports in high school, and said the opportunity to play in middle school helps him improve.

Onike Pinnock played field hockey as a seventh-grader, and this year added volleyball, basketball and lacrosse. She said she likes playing sports year round because it helps her better manage her schedule. When she has less free time, she says, she actually is better at setting aside time for homework and studying. “Physical activity makes you more focused in school,” she said.

Joe Cain is on the baseball team this spring, played basketball in the winter, and suited up for the football team in the fall. Of those three sports, football is the only one he was able to play two years in a row.

He definitely prefers the expanded opportunities he has had as an eighth-grader. “It was fun, because I like all the sports,” he said. “I don’t like just one. It keeps me in shape and it makes me a better athlete.”

Art teacher James Pollin coached field hockey, wrestling and boys’ track this year. The return of a full sports program, he said, has made a noticeable difference in the school compared with last year, when, after the fall season ended, the building was a “ghost town” by 3 p.m. “I think the students are definitely excited,” he said. “There’s definitely more of a buzz.”

Pollin said that many teachers coached in other districts during the seasons that middle-school sports weren’t offered. He was a track coach elsewhere last year, and was happy that the program returned to Seaford this year.

While Seaford High School’s athletic teams generally have success, Pollin explained that nothing beats a strong feeder program. When students play a sport in seventh grade, then can’t play it again until their freshman year, that not only hurts their growth as athletes but also the district’s entire program in a sport.

Stephanie Lucia, who coaches girls’ soccer and track, said that because the focus in high school is on winning, middle school is where many athletes learn about fairness and overall sportsmanship.

She, too, noticed the increase spirit in the school this year, with a lot more green and white in the hallways. “All of a sudden you’re noticing Seaford jerseys and uniforms,” Lucia said, adding that some teams even dress up the day of a game.

“I know kids in different towns,” Thomas added, “and I like playing them as my town.”

Eighth-grader Lauren McCaffrey, who played soccer, basketball and lacrosse this year, said nothing is better than coming to school the day after a win and sharing joy with her teammates. Chris Surace, who was limited to playing football last year but was able to wrestle and play lacrosse this year, added that the experience prepares him for the expectations and demands of high school sports.

He admitted that once football season ended last year, it was “a little boring — not a lot to do.”

Seventh-grader Amanda Williams is part of the first group of students who can play the same middle-school sport two years in a row. She played soccer and volleyball, and is currently on the track team, and plans to continue with all three next year.

“There’s definitely pride in representing your school,” Pollin said. “Here, a lot of kids are looking for things to do, and a lot of them like sports.”