Stillwater, MN community we need your support! Two young athletes, Ian and Owen Livingston, face the heartbreaking reality of missing out on their final 8th-grade basketball season with the Falcons SCVAA Basketball team. This unfortunate situation is not due to their lack of skills or dedication, but rather the result of a genuine administrative mistake during the registration process. Followed up by a decision made by the SCVAA Executive Board stating they will not allow them to join citing a strict "roster cap of 10 players per team". However, our community knows that in multiple past seasons the league has successfully and safely accommodated rosters larger than 10 to ensure no child was left sitting on the sidelines. 

The Head Coach has openly expressed willingness to add to the team roster by letting them join and several teammates have made it clear they're willing to share playing time if it means they get to play one last season with their friends. Even with multiple solutions presented to correct this minor issue, the league has not been willing to consider or accept any of them and has stood firmly on their decision. 

The Livingston family has a deep-rooted connection with the SCVAA community. Their mother has been a devoted supporter of the program for over a decade, consistently enrolling her 3 children year-round through various sports programs, not having ever missed a deadline previously and contributing to the strength of SCVAA through all these years of consistent registrations. Yet, despite this long-standing commitment, Ian and Owen now find themselves sidelined at a pivotal moment in their sporting journey, by the very league that their family has been invested in for so long. 

The impact of this oversight extends beyond Ian and Owen. It affects all of us parents and neighbors who have watched these boys grow not just as athletes, but as incredible friends to our own sons and very respectful young men both on and off the court. Their absence from the team is a loss of spirit, skill, and camaraderie that benefits everyone involved in SCVAA basketball.

Many families understand the vital role sports play in the development of young individuals, teaching them teamwork, perseverance, and resilience. Denying Ian and Owen the opportunity to participate not only robs them of the experiences they have worked so hard for, but it also denies them the chance to finish this poignant chapter with their peers. Once this season ends, their chance to play with their childhood friends that they've been teamed up with since day 1, is gone forever. Denying them a place on the court over a registration technicality flies in the face of what recreational sports are supposed to stand for; community, inclusivity, and keeping kids active.

We kindly ask the SCVAA Executive Board to consider the situation compassionately and reverse the decision, prioritize the well-being of the kids over clerical deadlines, and Let Them Play.

We believe that everyone deserves a second chance, especially when the root cause was an unintentional error. By allowing Ian and Owen to play, the SCVAA preserves its values of inclusivity and perseverance, setting a powerful example for the youth it nurtures and providing reassurance to the parents that will be registering their youth in years to come, that this league still stands by the mission it was created with. 

Please sign this petition to advocate for Ian and Owen's reinstatement to the Falcons SCVAA basketball team, ensuring they have the opportunity to continue developing their skills and enjoying the game with their friends.