Official Patchogue-Medford football players are not prohibited from playing other sports

Patchogue-Medford Schools Superintendent Donna Jones released a second letter to the community today — this time addressing a rumor circulating about the district recently losing a college football game due to vandalism.

In his letter, sent around 6:30 p.m., Jones explained that, contrary to unsubstantiated rumors of “reports,” team members will not face additional restrictions on participating in other Pat-Med athletic teams this year.

“You may have heard unsubstantiated rumors that members of the Pachogue-Medford High School Varsity Football Team will not be able to participate on the winter and spring sports teams,” Jones wrote, emphasizing that the claim was “completely false.”

He reiterated that the only consequence of the team’s behavior was the forfeiture of Friday’s game against Sachem, adding: “We have not placed any restrictions on the ability of these student-athletes to try out and play on any of our winter or spring varsity teams. ”

Jones’ response aims to quell speculation that arose following his initial announcement in which he addressed the reasons for the suspension and expressed disappointment in the team’s lack of responsibility for the incident.

in it first statement to the communityJones announced that Pat-Med’s high school football team will forfeit their final regular season game this Friday evening against Sachem East following allegations of vandalism by team members at Allegheny Avenue Elementary School in the Lindenhurst School District on Saturday.

Jones said the vandalism, which reportedly occurred in a team-accessible bathroom during an away game, was attributed solely to Patchogue-Medford athletes because no other groups were in the facility at the time. He explained that following the incident, team members were asked to identify those responsible one by one, but no one came forward.

The district’s decision to forfeit Friday’s game came after multiple meetings with players in which the coaching staff and athletic director gave the players the opportunity to take responsibility.

“Unfortunately, that did not happen,” Jones said, describing the choice to lose as a difficult but necessary step to preserve the district’s values ​​of responsibility and respect. He said the district hopes for accountability, especially since Friday’s game is scheduled to include a Veterans Recognition Ceremony in partnership with the Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame.

Best photo: Frank D’Agostino Photography

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