48.0°,
Light Rain Cancellation of O.B. and L.V. high school spring sports devastating
It’s game over for public high school spring sports on Long Island for 2020.
Any hopes for even a modified season were dashed April 21 when health and safety concerns led athletic administrators and school superintendents in Nassau and Suffolk counties to announced the cancellation of the spring sports season.
“For the safety for our student athletes Section VIII has made the difficult decision to cancel spring sports for our high schools and middle schools,” said Nassau County executive director Pat Pizzarelli. “Long Island is one of the areas most affected by this terrible pandemic so both Section VIII (Nassau) and Section XI (Suffolk) have made this very difficult decision.”
The news is disappointing to high school athletes across the board but particularly to seniors. “Your senior year is a lifetime memory when you get to leave a legacy, a stamp,” said Brian Soper, the Varsity Boys Lacrosse coach at Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District. A former athlete himself, Soper has coached for the district for 12 years and is also the high school’s social studies teacher. “For the seniors, this is their last chance to shine.”
The news was sobering for Jack Rispoli, 18, a lifelong resident of Oyster Bay. A senior, he has played lacrosse since the ninth grade.
“I was planning to play one last time for my high school so for me this is heartbreaking,” he said. “I was so surprised that this happened. I guess I wanted to turn away from the inevitable. It’s like they took away my child.”
The decision by administrators in both counties was unanimous on April 20. Even if public schools reopen, no sporting events would likely be held. A week earlier, Governor Andrew Cuomo extended New York State’s stay-at-home policies through May 15, meaning that school buildings would be closed until at least that date.
Dr. Danielle Turner, the Locust Valley Central School District director of health, physical education and athletics said the right decision was made. “Even if we return to school as early as May 15, what would sports look like? How would we social distance in lacrosse, or, in any sport for that matter?”
When Locust Valley High School senior Page O’Brien, a softball player, saw the announcement, she said it felt like another punch in the gut for senior athletes.
“To know that my high school athletic career has come to an end without being able to play softball and that is devastating,” O’Brien said. “Not being able to experience Softball Senior Day, stepping up to bat for the last time or stepping off the rubber after throwing my last pitch is an experience I will miss forever. Not being able to have one more season with my coaches and teammates makes me sad, but I’m glad that I got to experience four years of Locust Valley softball.”
Pizzarelli said he understands the disappointment but the situation of Covid-19 is one of life and death.
Rispoli said he was surprised that the decision was made so early. He had thought there would be more postponements. “Long Island is the lacrosse hot spot of the world,” he said. “Everyone seems to be saying, ‘I can’t believe it’s over before it even started.’”
Playing lacrosse offers more than an opportunity to play a sport, Rispoli said. It’s a great way to make lifelong friendships.
“Sports creates such comraderies, especially spring sports,” Soper said. “It’s a closure to your high school career when everything comes together.”
Although Turner’s heart sank when she saw the announcement, she said she saw it coming. She immediately thought of the senior athletes and the work they put in offseason to prepare for the spring.
“I'm certain that our athletes understand the reason for this decision, that the health and safety of our community is a priority,” Turner said. “In fact, the maturity of our athletes throughout this process has been incredible. However, in this moment, our kids are allowed to be upset, they are allowed to cry and they are allowed to feel whatever it is they need to feel. This is not their fault, and yes, it is unfair.”
