Local Football Games Will Go On Tonight With Special Observances Tonight
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
In the wake of Tuesday's tragic events, local athletic directors have been faced with decisions they never thought they would have to make.
The decision to cancel athletic competitions Tuesday was pretty much a given, but then the athletic directors were faced with the decision of when to resume the regular sports schedule and whether to play football games tonight.
"It was a very difficult decision," said Wawasee athletic director Mary Hurley. "We decided to have practice Tuesday with no strings attached. If the players wanted to be home with their families, if the players parents wanted them home, they were free to go. It was their decision to be there. Many of the coaches tied in the events of the day at practice, and we have recognized the tragedy at each of our sporting events since.
"It is an educational experience, and athletics is an extension of education."
"We immediately canceled all athletic practices and events Tuesday," said Warsaw athletic director Dave Fulkerson. "At 3 p.m., every student was allowed to go home out of respect."
While all local football games will be played tonight, many local athletic directors took several factors into consideration before going ahead with the games.
"Our national leaders have said that we should try to return to normal activities, and that's what we are trying to do," said Hurley. "As of right now, I am not aware of any cancellations throughout the state.
"Transportation does not play the role in high school games like it does in the college and professional games. It is something that we don't have to deal with. And it will be good for people to get together to enjoy the game. It will also be an opportunity for people to join together and grieve."
Triton athletic director Mike Byron echoed Hurley's sentiments.
"We made the decision we are going to play," he said. "We canceled activities Tuesday night and then resumed play Wednesday.
"I served in the military for years. And I feel that although what happened is a tragedy, I think we've got to get back in there and go on. We are strong people, and we are going to move on the best we can."
He also feels that transportation is not a factor in high school sports like in college and professional competitions.
"I can see why the colleges had to postpone their games," said Byron. "They have to travel long distances to get to their destinations, and they had to make their decisions quickly."
According to Whitko athletic director John Mohr athletic directors in the Three Rivers Conference were on their own to make decision regarding athletic events, particularly tonight's football games.
Steve Shumaker of Manchester High School is the only local athletic director who had to plan events for a home game.
"The IHSAA made the decision up to the individual schools," said Shumaker. "But they told us they would not extend the season so there was not much of a choice for us. We can only play one game a week, and we don't want to make our team play on a Monday and then turn around and play again Friday. The principal and I talked briefly, and we really did not see a way of not playing.
"We play nine straight weeks in the regular season, and since we don't have a chance to make it up we didn't want to miss a conference game."
Tippecanoe Valley athletic director Duane Burkhart agrees.
"We are following IHSAA protocol," Burkhart said. "I called Ray Craft at the IHSAA, and basically he said if we don't play tonight we'll have to Saturday or not play at all. I don't see the point in playing Saturday because it won't make that much of a difference. There's no make up date, and most games will go on."
But just because games will go on doesn't mean Tuesday's events will be forgotten at tonight's game.
"We'll have activities before the game," said Byron. "We are also going to have the cheerleaders go through the crowds at halftime to take donations for the victims of the tragedy. We will play the national anthem, have a moment of silence and keep the flags at half-mast."
"At the football game at NorthWood, we have choreographed pre-game ceremonies," said Hurley. "We will have a moment of silence and the teams will be out on the field for the national anthem. We also have a patriotic reading."
That reading is, "In lieu of the tragic national events of Tuesday, it is appropriate at this time to recognize all flags across our nation fly at half-mast. We share in the personal and public losses with millions of Americans. Our thoughts and prayers include the many people that suffered tremendous losses, and with our nations leaders as they deal with the issues of national security.
"We are reminded that this great nation enjoys many privileges and freedoms not experienced by all across the world. Our bountiful educational opportunities are a privilege and a right developed with great sacrifices by our forefathers. It is appropriate, as we say our Pledge Of Allegiance this evening, we remember the events of this week."
The crowd will then be instructed to stand, remove their caps and join the Pledge of Allegiance at the game.
A similar speech has been read at all Manchester High school athletic events this week, and players and fans will be asked to observe a moment of silence.
"Tonight, on this day of national mourning as we prepare to play this athletic contest, we need to pause for a moment of silence. We need to remember tonight's contest is only a game, that real life was played out on Tuesday in New York City, Washington D.C. and a field in Pennsylvania. We need to remember that the freedoms we enjoy in this country are second to none despite these terrorist attacks. Now, let us take a moment to pray for and remember the innocent victims of these attacks and their grieving families. Thank you, and now our national anthem."
Warsaw coach Phil Jensen plans to recognize the tragedy and support the USA for the rest of the season.
"Phil Jensen ordered mini decals of the American flag to put on the back of our helmets at all levels - 7th, 8th, freshman, JV and varsity," said Fulkerson. "Once the decals come in, they will be put on the helmets as a sign of respect for what happened."
Warsaw has also observed a moment of silence at all sporting events held since Tuesday's tragedy.
Since Warsaw is playing at Northridge tonight, the athletic director there will make the decision about tonight's activities.
While Burkhart and Mohr are not in charge of planning the pre-game activities for their teams' games, they both assume activities will be held to recognize Tuesday's events.
"I'm sure there will be a moment of silence, and we'll probably play 'God Bless The USA,'" said Burkhart. "I think that would be appropriate."
"The teams will probably meet at the 50-yard line before the national anthem and observe a moment of silence," said Mohr. "We will probably work things out before the game tonight at Oak Hill. But really Oak Hill is the home team so they are the ones who will decide the activities that go on." [[In-content Ad]]
In the wake of Tuesday's tragic events, local athletic directors have been faced with decisions they never thought they would have to make.
The decision to cancel athletic competitions Tuesday was pretty much a given, but then the athletic directors were faced with the decision of when to resume the regular sports schedule and whether to play football games tonight.
"It was a very difficult decision," said Wawasee athletic director Mary Hurley. "We decided to have practice Tuesday with no strings attached. If the players wanted to be home with their families, if the players parents wanted them home, they were free to go. It was their decision to be there. Many of the coaches tied in the events of the day at practice, and we have recognized the tragedy at each of our sporting events since.
"It is an educational experience, and athletics is an extension of education."
"We immediately canceled all athletic practices and events Tuesday," said Warsaw athletic director Dave Fulkerson. "At 3 p.m., every student was allowed to go home out of respect."
While all local football games will be played tonight, many local athletic directors took several factors into consideration before going ahead with the games.
"Our national leaders have said that we should try to return to normal activities, and that's what we are trying to do," said Hurley. "As of right now, I am not aware of any cancellations throughout the state.
"Transportation does not play the role in high school games like it does in the college and professional games. It is something that we don't have to deal with. And it will be good for people to get together to enjoy the game. It will also be an opportunity for people to join together and grieve."
Triton athletic director Mike Byron echoed Hurley's sentiments.
"We made the decision we are going to play," he said. "We canceled activities Tuesday night and then resumed play Wednesday.
"I served in the military for years. And I feel that although what happened is a tragedy, I think we've got to get back in there and go on. We are strong people, and we are going to move on the best we can."
He also feels that transportation is not a factor in high school sports like in college and professional competitions.
"I can see why the colleges had to postpone their games," said Byron. "They have to travel long distances to get to their destinations, and they had to make their decisions quickly."
According to Whitko athletic director John Mohr athletic directors in the Three Rivers Conference were on their own to make decision regarding athletic events, particularly tonight's football games.
Steve Shumaker of Manchester High School is the only local athletic director who had to plan events for a home game.
"The IHSAA made the decision up to the individual schools," said Shumaker. "But they told us they would not extend the season so there was not much of a choice for us. We can only play one game a week, and we don't want to make our team play on a Monday and then turn around and play again Friday. The principal and I talked briefly, and we really did not see a way of not playing.
"We play nine straight weeks in the regular season, and since we don't have a chance to make it up we didn't want to miss a conference game."
Tippecanoe Valley athletic director Duane Burkhart agrees.
"We are following IHSAA protocol," Burkhart said. "I called Ray Craft at the IHSAA, and basically he said if we don't play tonight we'll have to Saturday or not play at all. I don't see the point in playing Saturday because it won't make that much of a difference. There's no make up date, and most games will go on."
But just because games will go on doesn't mean Tuesday's events will be forgotten at tonight's game.
"We'll have activities before the game," said Byron. "We are also going to have the cheerleaders go through the crowds at halftime to take donations for the victims of the tragedy. We will play the national anthem, have a moment of silence and keep the flags at half-mast."
"At the football game at NorthWood, we have choreographed pre-game ceremonies," said Hurley. "We will have a moment of silence and the teams will be out on the field for the national anthem. We also have a patriotic reading."
That reading is, "In lieu of the tragic national events of Tuesday, it is appropriate at this time to recognize all flags across our nation fly at half-mast. We share in the personal and public losses with millions of Americans. Our thoughts and prayers include the many people that suffered tremendous losses, and with our nations leaders as they deal with the issues of national security.
"We are reminded that this great nation enjoys many privileges and freedoms not experienced by all across the world. Our bountiful educational opportunities are a privilege and a right developed with great sacrifices by our forefathers. It is appropriate, as we say our Pledge Of Allegiance this evening, we remember the events of this week."
The crowd will then be instructed to stand, remove their caps and join the Pledge of Allegiance at the game.
A similar speech has been read at all Manchester High school athletic events this week, and players and fans will be asked to observe a moment of silence.
"Tonight, on this day of national mourning as we prepare to play this athletic contest, we need to pause for a moment of silence. We need to remember tonight's contest is only a game, that real life was played out on Tuesday in New York City, Washington D.C. and a field in Pennsylvania. We need to remember that the freedoms we enjoy in this country are second to none despite these terrorist attacks. Now, let us take a moment to pray for and remember the innocent victims of these attacks and their grieving families. Thank you, and now our national anthem."
Warsaw coach Phil Jensen plans to recognize the tragedy and support the USA for the rest of the season.
"Phil Jensen ordered mini decals of the American flag to put on the back of our helmets at all levels - 7th, 8th, freshman, JV and varsity," said Fulkerson. "Once the decals come in, they will be put on the helmets as a sign of respect for what happened."
Warsaw has also observed a moment of silence at all sporting events held since Tuesday's tragedy.
Since Warsaw is playing at Northridge tonight, the athletic director there will make the decision about tonight's activities.
While Burkhart and Mohr are not in charge of planning the pre-game activities for their teams' games, they both assume activities will be held to recognize Tuesday's events.
"I'm sure there will be a moment of silence, and we'll probably play 'God Bless The USA,'" said Burkhart. "I think that would be appropriate."
"The teams will probably meet at the 50-yard line before the national anthem and observe a moment of silence," said Mohr. "We will probably work things out before the game tonight at Oak Hill. But really Oak Hill is the home team so they are the ones who will decide the activities that go on." [[In-content Ad]]