Show of unity reinforces need for athletes to compete

From left, Windham High School athletes
Julia McKenna, her mother Dana McKenna
and Daniella Yale and her daughter Emma
Yale are shown at the 'Let them play' rally
in Augusta on Monday. PHOTO BY
MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

If you’ve been on Facebook in the last few months, you’ve probably seen photos of student-athletes with the hashtag ‘let them play’ in response to the possibility of the Maine Principal’s Association canceling the fall sports season because of COVID-19.

On Monday, a rally was held along the sidewalks of the Blaine House in Augusta where parents, athletes and supporters held up signs and wore their school colors and masks, while marching to stress the importance of a fall sports season.

The goal was to have the voices of prep athletes heard and their school colors be seen.

As athletes held up their signs, their message was clear “Let us play.” Usually competitors, these student-athletes and their families stood together in unity to show the MPA they needed a fall sports season.

Many passing vehicles honked in encouragement.

Winslow resident and rally organizer, Amy Michaud Bourget said that she was hoping to appeal to the MPA, the Maine Center for Disease Control and the Maine Department of Education on behalf of prep sports. She wants them to know there is an overwhelming need for sports for all student athletes.

She said that mental health is also a big factor as sports are an outlet for some who might not have a lot at home.

“I think it’s so important that these kids get to play fall sports,” said Bourget. “My son is a three-sport athlete and has already missed baseball in the spring. This has been super hard on him. He works hard to keep his grades up for sports and hopes to be able to play college ball. As a junior this year, it’s the most important year for scouting.”

Bourget wants athletes to show they are willing to do what it takes to play this season.

“I want to play this season because I miss the game so much,” said Windham senior Julia McKenna. “I miss the excitement of game day, winning and the team bonding.”

She said that she has watched seniors before her honored at Senior Night and McKenna can’t imagine not getting to experience that moment.

McKenna said that she wears a mask and practices safe social distancing. She thinks they can have a safe season as long as they follow reasonable guidelines.

“I think it’s important to play fall sports this season because of the value it holds for my daughter and other athletes,” said Julia’s mother, Dana McKenna. “They are in their time of life when things like sports hold a lot of weight with how they will do in other aspects of their life.”

Dana McKenna said sports teach life lessons like learning to deal with success and failure.

As a mother, Dana McKenna, said it was important to attend the rally because of how much the season means to her daughter. She said that she has respectfully tweeted and emailed the officials who are charged with making the decision to play or not.

She said that she wanted to stand behind her words and be a presence at the rally in hopes that her voice will be heard.

Dana McKenna does have concerns regarding COVID, but she also has concerns when her daughter gets injured or has a bad flu.

“I do find that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to my daughter playing.  Her mental health is just as important as her physical health.”

The MPA is expected to announce its decision regarding fall prep sports in early September. <