To the CIAC, you have broken the hearts of all players, families, and coaches involved in this years winter sports tournament competition. Most notably those seniors who have dedicated their entire lives to their respective sports, many of whom will never play again after this year. This meant everything to them. These tournaments are something they cannot get back.

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, many schools, universities, and sports teams are taking precaution to prevent the spread of the disease. However, cancelling the entirety of the CIAC Winter State Tournament is absolutely unprecedented and unacceptable.

CIAC Exec. Director Glenn Lungarini remarked "We feel [cancelling the tournaments] should give [the schools] the opportunity to focus on the educational needs of our students."

These tournaments are an educational need. 

Not only do these sports provide an environment for kids to compete on stage in front of their friends and family, but they also provide a space for kids to form inseparable bonds with their teammates, and memories like these tournaments are the things they will cherish for life and will never be able to get back.

Therefore, just as many schools' classes are moving to an online format, signers of this petition would like to come to a compromise with the CIAC, to allow the continuation of the state tournament with a restricted spectator audience, with the condition that games are live streamed on the internet. We understand that the tournaments are unable to carry on as normal in previous years, and postponing would be a scheduling nightmare, and for that reason we would like to compromise with the committee. 

Even though the atmosphere of each game will not be what the kids hoped for, at least they will be given the chance to finish what they have invested their time, heart and soul into for their entire lives. Please reconsider your decision.

Sincerely,

Winter Sports Athletes & Friends

Note: Amid this massive distraction, any tournament games taking place today or tomorrow should be postponed until Thursday.

- Jake Walker, Fairfield Prep 2019

Questions: jakederekwalker@gmail.com