Middletown High School’s football season ended on Friday after the district withdrew an emergency court petition that sought to restore the team to the Section IX Class AA championship according to Mid Hudson News.
Justice Shako Presides over Orange County Hearing
State Supreme Court Justice Verris Shako presided over a nearly two-hour hearing at the Orange County Courthouse in Goshen as reported by News12 | Bronx.
The courtroom reached capacity with players, students, parents, school officials, and community members, while others waited in the hallway told News 12 – Hudson Valley | Bronx.
Attorneys represented Middletown, Newburgh, Valley Central, Section IX, and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association according to News 12 – Hudson Valley | Bronx.
Middletown’s legal counsel argued that players should not face punishment for an eligibility mistake made by adults, pointing to a previous Suffolk County case where a judge permitted high school wrestlers to compete despite a similar violation reported News12 | Bronx.
Attorneys for the opposing schools and athletic associations maintained that rules must be enforced consistently to guarantee fair competition stated News12 | Bronx.
Following arguments and a private attorney conference, Middletown’s attorney acknowledged that the court was constrained by the eligibility rules and the consequences tied to breaking them, leading the district to withdraw its application according to News 12 – Hudson Valley | Bronx.
Justice Shako addressed the courtroom during the proceedings.
“There are tough decisions that have to be made at times.”
A Player Participated for 53 Seconds Without Eligibility
The controversy began after Middletown defeated Valley Central 48-15 in the semifinal noted the New York Post.
An issue arose regarding a player who participated for 53 seconds during the playoff matchup without meeting postseason eligibility requirements reported the New York Post.
Valley Central Athletic Director Theresa Uhelsky reported the infraction to Section IX according to Mid Hudson News.
Newburgh coaches had previously contacted Valley Central’s coaching staff about a Middletown player they had not observed on game film reported Mid Hudson News.
The player in question served as a kickoff specialist, had previously competed on Middletown’s soccer team, participated in eight kickoffs, and did not score any points noted the New York Post.
Under NYSPHSAA rules, football players must be on the roster for a minimum of three regular-season games to compete in the postseason stated Chroniclenewspaper.
Middletown Officials Appeal Rejected Waiver Requests
Middletown Superintendent Amy Creeden and Athletic Director Justin Sturge acknowledged the administrative error in a public statement reported the Times Union.
“We want to be very clear: this was an error made by adults, not our scholars. Not one student-athlete did anything wrong. Every football and cheer athlete on this team earned this season through hard work, heart and pride, and nothing about this decision changes that.”
After Section IX denied the district’s waiver request, Creeden appealed to NYSPHSAA Executive Director Robert Zayas, who also rejected the appeal reported My Hudson Valley.
State Senator James Skoufis, Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano, District Attorney David Hoovler, and Assemblywoman Paula Elaine Kay voiced support for the district’s challenge noted Hoodline.
Assemblywoman Kay wrote a letter to state athletic and education officials reported Spectrum News.
“Denying these young men the opportunity to compete and showcase the hard work they have put in throughout this season would be devastating to the athletes and their community, and would run counter to the spirit and mission of NYSPHSAA and Section IX athletics.”
Newburgh Enlarged City School District Superintendent Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell defended her district in a statement, telling that Newburgh’s participants had faced criticism for uncovering the violation reported Daily Voice.
Manning Campbell wrote that her coaching staff and students did nothing more than prepare diligently and ethically for competition, and she criticized the decision to direct criticism at the Newburgh program for uncovering the violation.
The Section IX Championship Matchup
Valley Central took Middletown’s place in the bracket following the forfeit reported the Times Union.
The Vikings are scheduled to play Newburgh Free Academy for the Section IX Class AA championship at noon at Monroe-Woodbury High School noted Mid Hudson News.
Newburgh football coach Bill Bianco told about the situation heading into the championship game.
Middletown finished its regular season undefeated for the first time in 65 years reported News12 | Westchester.
“After we told those kids everything was lost, the entire season, it was a really, really rough day,” Isaac Cayetano, an assistant coach for Middletown's varsity football team, said.
The football program previously experienced an eligibility dispute in 2019, when the team forfeited four games and missed the playoffs stated Chroniclenewspaper.
“In our hearts, our record is still 10 and 0. We are so proud of our championship team. We are Middletown. When we get knocked down, we get back up again, and we are stronger. We cannot wait to come back next season.”
