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Legislators, Athletic Administrators press Cuomo to allow High Risk sports to play
With neighboring states already well underway with their full winter sports seasons athletic administrators across the state and state legislators this week stepped up pressure to get Governor Andrew Cuomo to allow the “High Risk” winter sports of basketball and wrestling to begin their seasons.
State Assemblyman Colin Schmitt from New Windsor introduced legislation to “compel the New York State Department of Education and the NYS Department of Health to allow interscholastic sports to be cleared to play this year using proper COVID-19 safety protocols.”
Assemblyman Schmitt stated that “interscholastic sports are an integral part of the school experience and a way to maintain a semblance of normalcy in an upended world.”
Schmitt continued that “currently some sports are being played in New York while others like basketball, football, ice hockey and more are not allowed, despite a majority of states, including neighboring New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut allowing basketball competition to begin this week.”
He added ” New York’s student-athletes should have equal opportunity to safely compete in all sports just like students in a majority of states in our nation. Medical and scientific data prove interscholastic sports using the proper protocols is safe during Covid-19.”
The New York State Athletic Administrators Association likewise sent a very pointed letter to the governor imploring Cuomo to “reconsider the decision to forego “high-risk” sports for the Winter and potentially for the remainder of the school year to permit play to begin immediately so these athletes can salvage a small season as some end their high school athletic careers.”
The letter continued “as a professional association, we ask for this with the knowledge that those sports are not only safe to run, but will be overseen by Athletic Administrators that have worked tirelessly to develop protocols to deal with the COVID-19 virus should there be an isolated case. There are many documents authored by groups concerned directly with maintaining a safe environment for students, staff, and the surrounding communities and should be considered as a guide to the opening of a full sports program. We have followed the NFHS, CDC, and DOH guidelines to the letter to begin our limited seasons and now feel confident that after seeing how the rest of the country has celebrated successes, it is time for New York to lead again.”
Additionally the letter stated to the Governor that ” you will note that many states have conducted research on the rate of transmission directly correlated with the number of cases and subsequent quarantines causing cessation of contests. In every study there were less than 1% new cases and a much lower percentage resulting in suspensions or cancellations of contests. There is no valid, scientific reason to assume that interscholastic sports are dangerous at any risk level. In fact, those state’s health departments seem to vary on which sports are actually “high-risk” and those that are not. New York, for some reason, has a much different, subjective assessment in place.”
The letter continued that “furthermore, surrounding states have seen the necessity of keeping school sports programs operating and have identified mental health and increasing the socio-economic gaps as potential factors in cases of student depression and lower grades while engaged in some form of virtual learning. Student health and growth academically, emotionally, and physically are what is a part of every child’s life and we are the experts that contribute to that growth. The Educational Framework for Athletics, a New York State Education Department document, is the lifeblood of our association and we see the benefits of our programs far beyond the classroom.”
In addition another lawsuit is being planned by the Buffalo law firm of HoganWillig demanding that the state to allow youth and high school “High-Risk” sports to begin playing. That is the law firm which this week successfully sued New York State to allow Erie County restaurants which are in an “Orange” zone to resume serving customers inside under “Yellow zone limitations of 50 percent capacity.
Time though is now certainly a factor in getting approval for the High Risk winter sports to begin as the so-called “Fall 2” season for the postponed High Risk Sports of football, volleyball and competitive cheerleading is scheduled to begin on March 1 to be followed by the regular spring sports season starting in mid April.
Muckdogs, Dwyer get new life
For area high school baseball teams and fans Batavia’s Dwyer Stadium has been a very popular location especially for sectional and regional playoff games.
However, the future of the stadium was in doubt when Major League Baseball’s reorganization of its minor league system several months ago resulted in the folding of the New York Penn League of which Dwyer’s primary tenant – the Batavia Muckdogs – was a member.
The immediate future of the stadium and the Muckdogs received a very positive boost though when City of Batavia officials announced that the Muckfdogs would be a member of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League with Dwyer as the team’s home field.
The agreement will have the new owners of the Muckdogs taking care of the management and maintenance of Dwyer and that other events including high school and youth league games will be held at the stadium.
The league’s teams, whose rosters are comprised of college players still with NCAA eligibility, are all based in New York State.
The league plays a May through August schedule.
Albion’s first mat title season was perfect
Photo Courtesy of Bruce and Associates – Albion’s first ever Niagara-Orleans League champion wrestling team in 1983 included, in front, Rawn Mitchell, Joe Walls, Eric Johnston, Darrin Hillman, John Snell, Tim Bourke, Aron Conn (manager), John Pahuta, Bill Swan, Todd Spencer, Shawn Conn, John Sacco and Eric Knaak. Standing are Coach Keith Piccirilli, Jeff Harding, Joe Christopher, Bill Hiese, Dwight Fowlks, Edmond Vandergenalht, Walt Passmore, Dave Coville, Mike Conn, Scott Mattice, Scott Burnside, Bob Rice, Chuck Persons, Carmine Calabria, Dean Sevor and Coach Al Johnson.
Albion captured it’s elusive first Niagara-Orleans League wrestling championship during the 1982-83 season in impressive fashion as the Purple Eagles went 7-0 during the duel match portion of the campaign and then rolled to a 73 point victory at the All-League meet.
Coach Keith Piccirilli’s Purple Eagles placed a total of nine wrestlers in the finals at the All-League tournament which saw Albion garner 190 points to easily out duel runner-up Roy-Hart which had 117.
Albion emerged with six individual N-O champions including Todd Spencer (94), Mike Conn (101), Darrin Hillman (108), Rawn Mitchell (115), John Snell (141) and John Sacco (158).
The Purple Eagles also had Bill Swan (138), Joe Walls (148) and Eric Knaak (180) all earn second place honors.
In compiling the 7-0 duel match record the Purple Eagles defeated Newfane 57-3, Starpoint 57-4, Medina 53-12, Barker 52-3, Akron 45-12, Wilson 45-14 and Roy-Hart 35-18.
The match against Roy-Hart was the highlight of the regular season as the Purple Eagles and Rams both brought undefeated 4-0 records into the match.
Sparked by a pin by Hillman, a major decision win by Spencer and a major decision win by Mitchell, Albion jumped out to an early 18-4 lead which the Purple Eagles never relinquished.
Roy-Hart did close the gap to five at 18-13 after a pin by Vince Roselli and a decision win by Mike Lang but the Rams would get no closer.
Decision wins by Bill Swan, Snell and Sacco vaulted Albion out to a 29-13 lead with just three bouts to go and a decision win by John Pahuta then put a lock on the victory.
Section VI gives OK to start swim season
The Section VI Executive Council voted today to allow practice for Low-Moderate Risk winter sports to begin as planned on January 18 which for Niagara-Orleans League schools involves boys and girls swimming.
“We’re a go for Monday. We’re all good,” said Roy-Hart Athletic Director John Grzymala who is a member of the Executive Council.
With teams able to start practice on the 18th the N-O has scheduled its first meets for January 28 with Albion vs. Barker, Medina vs. Akron and Roy-Hart vs. Newfane.
The N-O meets this season will be virtual with each team swimming in its own pool with no spectators allowed. Scores will then be compared by computer program to determine the winner of each individual event and the overall team winners.
The league will have a Tuesday-Thursday- Saturday weekly schedule for the remainder of the 10 meet regular season.
There are also tentative plans to try and hold All-League meets at the end of the season.
“We are excited to begin the winter season for the low to moderate risk sports,” Section President Brett Banker said in a press release. “We are very excited for our athletes, coaches and families. Athletes across our region will be able to return to something that is so important to them.”
However, the Executive Committee added the High Risk winter sports of basketball, wrestling and cheerleading remain on pause pending “further direction from Governor Cuomo’s office.”
“We welcome and are ready to begin High Risk sports as soon as we receive approval from Albany,” Banker continues. “Members of the Executive Committee are confident that member schools, athletic directors, coaches and athletic trainers can provide the same safer and nurturing experiences that we did in the highly successful fall season.”
N-O alum helps Browns end playoff drought
Contributed Photo – JC Tretter
The Niagara-Orleans League was well represented in Sunday night’s NFL wildcard game which saw Cleveland upset the host Pittsburgh Steelers 48-37 as Akron High graduate JC Tretter anchored the Browns offensive line from his center position.
Tretter threw key blocks on two of Cleveland’s early turnover aided touchdowns as the Browns roared out to big leads of 28-0 after one quarter and 35-7 at the half in route to ending a 25 year playoff victory drought.
His Browns will next visit the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional playoff round next weekend.
Tretter, a Cornell University grad, was drafted in the fourth round by Green Bay in 2013 and played with the Packers through the 2016 season. He came to Cleveland as a free agent in 2017 and has been a mainstay on the Browns offensive line ever since.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Here JC Tretter goes up against Medina’s Levi Pace during the 2008-09 season which saw the Tigers and Mustangs share the N-O title at 13-1.
This past year Tretter was elected President of the NFL Players Association, a position he certainly has the background for having earned a degree in Industrial Labor Relations from Cornell
A quarterback during his scholastic days at Akron, he played tight end during his first two years at Cornell before switching to offensive tackle for his final two seasons with the Big Red.
He was a first team All-Ivy League and third team All America honoree his senior season at Cornell in 2012.
In addition to being a star quarterback at Akron, Tretter was also a three time first team N-O All-League honoree in basketball. During his senior season (2008-09) he helped lead Akron to a N-O League co-championship with Medina and the Section VI Class B2 championship.
It was a perfect basketball title season for Ed’s
Contributed Photos – Mr. Ed’s posted a perfect 15-0 season to capture the 1981 Medina Men’s Basketball League championship. In front are Mark Weld, Steve Szklany, Jim Smith, Doug March, Frank Maynard and Curt Randolph. In back are Jud Ralph, John Collins, Tom Weber, sponsor Ed McCabe, John Shuttleworth and Kevin Harrington.
Jim Smith goes up to tap in a rebound shot for Mr. Ed’s in the title contest. Also shown from Ed’s are Frank Maynard and Steve Szklany along with Kirk Krull, Roger Strong and Steve Polo from Ontario Container.
It was a perfect 15-0 season just 30 years ago when Mr. Ed’s claimed the 1981 Medina Men’s Basketball League championship.
Ed’s went 13-0 during the regular season to claim the Divisin II title and then defeated Steak Barn 67-51 in the playoff semifinals and Ontario Containers 79-67 in the playoff championship contest.
Ed’s broke the title contest open early exploding for a 22-0 run to open up a 24-6 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Curt Randolph scored 24 and playoff MVP Jim Smith 21 to lead the way for Ed’s as Kevin Harrington added 11.
Steve Polo scored 25, Kirk Krull 14 and Roger Strong 10 for Onario Containers.
In the semifinals Ed used a blanaced attack to down Steak Barn as Tom Webser scored 13, Ranolph 12, Smith 11 and Dan Albee 10.
Cal Tuohey and Tom Balcerzak each scored 10 for Steak Barn.
In the other semifinal Ontario Containers defeated Division 1 regular season champion Kendall 63-57 in overtime as Polo scored 20. Dean Knapp netted 22 for Kendall.
Local duo earns Buffalo St. football honors
Contributed Photos – Roy-Hart’s Bill Bruning, left, Medina’s Lamont Rhim, have been named to the Buffalo State College’s 1990’s All Decade football team.
The Buffalo State College Athletic Department announced its 1990’s All Decade Football Team on Friday which includes two local athletes, Medina High graduate Lamont Rhim (Class of 1993) and Roy-Hart grad Bill Bruning (Class of 1988).
Rhim played for Buffalo State from 1994 to 1996 and holds the Bengals records for the longest touchdown pass reception (98 yards) as well as the most punt return yardage in a season (384) and a career (716).
Bruning played on the line for the Bengals from 1988-1992. His 1991 team won the ECIC Bowl and his 1992 squad made the NCAA playoffs.
Both players earned All-League honors during their senior season in high school – Rhim in 1992 and Bruning in 1987.
Bruning is a Physical Education teacher at Barker and Rhim works for Marriott Hotels.
N-O plans first “virtual” swim meets Jan. 28
With the first day of swim practice scheduled for January 18 (pending final approval by the Section VI Executive Council on Tuesday) Niagara-Orleans League athletic directors have set January 28 as the date for the first meets.
The meets this season will be virtual with each team swimming in its own pool with no spectators. Scores will then be compared by computer program to determine the winner of each individual event and the overall team winners.
Albion and Akron had been looking at the possibility of hosting regular meets but have decided to go with virtual meets.
“It’s the right thing to do right now keeping everyone in their own pool,” said Albion Athletic Director Adam Krenning in noting concerns over the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in the area.
The first meets on the 28th will have Albion vs. Barker, Medina vs. Akron and Roy-Hart vs. Newfane.
The league is looking to have mainly a Tuesday-Thursday- Saturday weekly schedule for the remainder of the 10 meet regular season.
There are also tentative plans to try and hold boys and girls All-League meets at the end of the season.
Roy-Hart is the defending boys and girls champion.
Bills were always a basketball favorite
Contributed Photos – In action here from the Bills basketball team’s 1981 contest against the Lyndonville faculty Bills All-Pro linebacker Jim Haslett moves in to defend as Mark Hughes passes the ball up court.
Local sports fans will have a featured attraction on TV on Saturday afternoon as for the first time in many years the Buffalo Bills will host a playoff game facing the Indianapolis Colts.
However, for many years local sports fans had the opportunity to see and meet some of their favorite Bills players, not on the football field but on the basketball court.
Packed gyms were the norm when the Bills basketball team came to town to play a benefit game. From the mid 1960’s until the mid 1990’s Medina, Albion, Lyndonville and Middleport were frequent stops on the Bills cagers late winter/early spring schedule of games around Western New York.
And the list of Bills players who competed locally over the years is an impressive one including Jim Kelly, Cornelius Bennett, Jim Haslett, Lou Piccone, Joe DeLamiellure, Shane Conlan, Jerry Butler and Darryl Talley.
Some of the squads who provided the opposition during these benefit contests included the Medina, Albion and Lyndonville faculties, the Medina All-Stars, the New York Correctional Officers, the Medina Jaycees, the Orleans All-Stars and the Mr. Ed’s team from Middleport.
The contests often included trick plays, such as a field goal attempt for a basket and audience participation hijinks, especially when Lou “Conehead” Piccone was on hand.
However probably the most popular part of the event was the post game autograph session where fans could get the opportunity to get an autograph, take a picture with and talk to some of their favorite Bills players.
From that same game at Lyndonville Bills side receiver Lou Piccone drives for a layup against Wes Bradley.
In a game at Medina, Lou Piccone lines up to try a three-pointer – field goal style. Keith Moody is the holder while blocking on the line, from left, are Dennis Johnson, Rod Kush, Ken Jones (checking signals), Dee Hardison (being blocked by Jim Hancock) and Joe DeLamielleure.
N-O swim start date nears; no word from Albany yet on basketball and wrestling
Delayed several times Section VI schools are scheduled to start practice for low-moderate risk winter sports in just over a week on January 18.
For Niagara-Orleans League schools that will involve boys and girls swimming.
With swim practice set to get underway on the 18th meets would begin early the following week and league athletic directors are expected to have a schedule of meets approved by the end of the week.
“It looks like it’s going to go,” said Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley.
Right now the league is planning on having “virtual” meets with the two competing teams each swimming in their own pool and the times being compared by computer program to determine individual event winners and the meet’s team winners.
However, two N-O schools – Akron and Albion – are looking to host regular meets.
“That is a possibility,” said Albion Athletic Director Adam Krenning .” Akron and Albion have both indicated they would be willing to host meets and to travel. Right now we are just awaiting approval by the superintendent so we can host meets and travel.”
The status of the winter season’s “High Risk” sports of basketball and wrestling though remains up in the air.
In mid December the New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced that no high risk sports can begin “until authorization is granted by state officials”. And to date there has been no announcement from Albany on granting such authorization.
That lack of an announcement so close to the January 18 practice start date certainly has the attention and the concern of local athletic directors.
It is a problem compounded by the fact that the so-called “Fall 2” season for the “High Risk” sports of football, volleyball and cheerleading, which did not get played last fall, is scheduled to begin on March 1.
“Things don’t look very good (for basketball and wrestling)” said Valley. “We’re hoping for the best but we’re really running out of a window of opportunity to get a winter sports season in. Just give us some answers.”
“It doesn’t look too promising,” said Roy-Hart Athletic Director John Grzymala.
“I’m optimistic the season will happen. I really am but we’ve really got to start on the 18th in order to have a winter season” said Krenning. “The kids and the coaches are chomping at the bit to get going and there are plenty of things we can do to make it safe for the athletes. I am hoping we can get it in for the kids. It is important for them both physically and mentally.”
Word from Albany as to whether that “authorization” will or won’t be given will determine if there will be a basketball and wrestling season. One way or the other it is word that for local athletic directors, coaches and student athletes cannot come soon enough.
