Oscoda Press: Varsity football cancelled
OSCODA – The Oscoda High School football stands were empty Friday night.
Instead of suiting up for the first home varsity football game of the season, the 0-4 team was at the Carter’s parking lot, joined by 110 students and parents who were demonstrating in protest of the administration’s decision to cancel the Owls’ varsity football season.
According to an unsigned press release sent from the district superintendent’s office, the decision was made Sept. 19, “after much thought, research and many discussions with parents, athletes, fellow schools in the NEMC conference and with the Michigan High School Athletic Association.”
October 5, 2006 at 12:50 pm |
I am a student at Oscoda High School and I think that the desicion may have been a pretty harsh one. The Varsity football not nly effects the members of the team and the coach but also all of the other students, not to mention Homecoming. Which by the way is one of the most antisipated day of the school year. What is homecming without a VARSITY Homecoming football game. Who are these people to take away this sport from us. In Oscoda there is NOTHING to do. Not only do a great deal of us watch the game but it’s also a way for us to stay away from all of the drugs that Oscoda has to offer. As a matter of fact I, myself had went to a Varsity football game as a replacment of drugs and alcohol. I stronglythink that before the decision was made they should have taken the students well-being into better cnsideration. Now what do we do??
October 5, 2006 at 2:12 pm |
Ashley –
I really feel for you. I am a high school coach and former high school AD, so I’m aware how important the football season is to the life of a school. Our team is off to a rough start (as far as wins and losses go) this year too, so I feel that pain as well. We’re very lucky though since our school has really rallied around the program to remind them that they’re still doing a great job in spite of the record. We’ve all been keeping a close eye on the Oscoda story, and your situation has been very close to our hearts.
It sounds to me like you’re a very articulate and outspoken member of your school community. Your fellow students probably really need you to step up and be a leader in voicing your concerns as well as helping to come up with other healthy activities for Friday nights.
Keep us updated on how it’s going out there. Everybody is really pulling for you guys!!
October 6, 2006 at 2:12 pm |
[...] When I posted a brief mention of Oscoda’s football season, I received the following response: ashley Says: October 5th, 2006 at 12:50 pm e I am a student at Oscoda High School and I think that the desicion may have been a pretty harsh one. The Varsity football not nly effects the members of the team and the coach but also all of the other students, not to mention Homecoming. Which by the way is one of the most antisipated day of the school year. What is homecming without a VARSITY Homecoming football game. Who are these people to take away this sport from us. In Oscoda there is NOTHING to do. Not only do a great deal of us watch the game but it’s also a way for us to stay away from all of the drugs that Oscoda has to offer. As a matter of fact I, myself had went to a Varsity football game as a replacment of drugs and alcohol. I stronglythink that before the decision was made they should have taken the students well-being into better cnsideration. Now what do we do?? [...]
October 16, 2006 at 5:03 pm |
I have read the letter from Ashley, and she has a very good point. What do the kids have to do in Oscoda on a Friday/Saturday night? I graduated from Oscoda, and am so embarrassed to say that. It is sad that little Oscoda has made the national news – ESPN. Someone from Wyoming sent me a website that talked about Oscoda. And it is sad that they are calling our Varsity Team “Wussies”. Sorry it is not the team that is at fault here, but the coaching staff. I feel that you are teaching our kids to be quitters. If you can’t win, quit. I don’t think so. It isn’t how you played the game, but playing the game itself and finishing what you have started. These seniors have lost any chance at a scholarship because scouts cannot come and watch them play.
Lisa (1980 graduate)
October 19, 2006 at 10:21 am |
I moved from Oscoda about five years ago and My mother and father graduated from that school. I used to go to all the football games and know that the whole town was centered around them. I heard this for the first time on the radio and I was astonished. It isn’t right for people to do that. I know everyone else agrees also. It is ridiculous. Also a bad example being set for the kids.