Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019: Ketcham athletes sidelined by processing glitch

   Leading off today: Numerous Roy C. Ketcham athletes have been sidelined for the start of fall practice because of a glitch that is preventing school officials from confirming that they have been medically cleared, according to Mid-Hudson News Network and Hudson Valley Sports Report.

   The websites reported on Tuesday that dozens and possibly hundreds of athletes were affected. Virtually all had their required physicals in place prior to Monday's opening practices.

   They reported that school officials did not return calls and emails seeking comment but the issue may be related to a computer glitch at the Wappingers Central School District offices that prevents administrators from reconciling records in the Family ID tracking system with updated data from health care providers.

   Without knowing whether an athlete's physical and registration are finalized, the athlete is not allowed to practice or compete.

   "There had to be at least 50, 60, 70 people in line outside the school office today (Tuesday)," one parent said.

   Another parent said school officials advised parents to take their children to a HealthQuest office or Urgent Care for an immediate sports physical -- at an out-of-pocket cost of $60.

   It was not known whether athletes at John Jay East Fishkill in the Wappingers CSD were also affected.

   In past years, missing two days of preseason practice would have had greater implications, but a recent rule change has streamlined the NYSPHSAA policy on practice requirements. Most sports now require an athlete to participate in just six practices in order to be able to represent their school. Football, gymnastics, wrestling and baseball require 10 practices.

   Early career start: Recent Sage College graduate Emily Parslow, 22, was approved last week by the Gloversville school board to coach girls basketball and JV soccer.

   "The hardest part is I'm going to want to get out there and play," she joked.

   Parslow was an all-state basketball player for Fonda-Fultonville in 2014 and '15. She also played soccer and softball there.

   Gloversville won 16 basketball games last season and 17 the season before under coach Molly D'Arcy, who stepped down for family reasons.

   Mike Eisenberg dies: St. Francis Prep girls JV basketball coach Mike Eisenberg died Saturday at the age of 61.

   Eisenberg was passionate about basketball and previously built a powerhouse at Francis Lewis, taking that program to the PSAL championship game six times in 11 seasons during a 15-year career there.

   He was also a controversial figure at times with run-ins with school and PSAL officials. Having found himself exiled from coaching for a time, he got himself certified to officiate boys and girls basketball games in 2013.

ADVERTISEMENT

   Unhook 'em, 'Horns: When the Payson Longhorns take the field for their home football opener on Friday, they will come out with a different logo.

NYSSWA All-Sport Championship   KERR CUP HOME  |  2019 top overall schools   Class-by-class boys  |  Class-by-class girls   Annual top 10 | Annual class champions   2018 Kerr Cup | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009   More about NYSSWA Kerr Cup

   Principal Jeff Simon said the school received a cease and desist letter from the University of Texas and must stop using the silhouette long- horn because it infringes upon a trademark.

   Simon said the high school has contracted with a local marketing company to create a new longhorn logo that will replace graphics on the district's website and other communications.

   Hawaii controversy: The addition of a trans- gender player to a girls volleyball roster in Hawaii has raised concerns from at least one opposing coach.

   The Maui News re- ported that the unident- ified player at Kameha- meha School has fit in with teammates and coaches after previously playing on the Kameha- meha boys JV squad.

   One opposing MIL girls volleyball coach, who requested anonymity because of the nature of the subject, said he was not made aware of the situation before the start of the season last week.

   "In my opinion it's very irresponsible for the league to place these young women, who are minors, in an elevated level of risk," the coach said. "They all sign off on an assumption of risk form for an understandable amount of risk. Now, there's an elevated level of risk their daughters are going through and being put through without any notification to the parents at all.

   "I have no problem with the kid being who (they) want to be, but now these girls are being put in an unsafe situation without giving the parents the opportunity to make an educated decision on whether they want their daughter in that position."

   The Hawaii High School Athletic Association adopted its policy on transgender athletes in October 2017. HHSAA Executive Director Chris Chun called the policy, which he wrote, a work in progress.

   "I don't feel comfortable getting into specifics or a specific sport, but safety is always a concern and competitive advantage is also a concern," Chun said. "So even though we have a policy, it's kind of like a guideline. It's still in its early, early transition stages."