The recent publication in the Start Tribune written on June 18th, 2020 in the Sports Section titled: Diminished prep fall sports offering likely if Minnesota schools reopen is very discouraging to say the least.

https://www.startribune.com/diminished-prep-fall-sports-offerings-likely-if-minnesota-schools-reopen/571356002/?refresh=true

As a parent of two high school students moving forward with plans to resume high school along with a "differentiated approach" to fall sports will make a huge mental and physical impact on their lives.  My son is a high school senior and one of the captains on the football team.  It is very important to him and his team that they can finish out their senior year playing football.  My daughter is in 9th grade and active in the Student Medical Assistant Program.  She is really looking forward to being on the football field with her brother his final year.  The Minnesota State High School League needs to make the right decision and let this be our choice to participate.

I know that many of you are in a similar situation as my family this year.  This is not just about the fall football season it is about all the high school sports in Minnesota.  There are many memories that the students are going to lose out on if not given the opportunity to participate in sports for the 2020-2021 season.   We have already lost so much this spring with high school sports being taken away.   The bonds they create as a team and memories they make.  Let alone all the hard work, dedication, and training they put forth just to have it taken away.  If we are to move forward there is no reason why we can not come together supporting both views on how decisions for our children need to be our choice.  If there is concern about the virus let them choose to stay home, do online schooling, and not participate in extracurricular activities.  If families want to have the choice and freedom to be allowed to return to normal now is the time for us to act and not be silent. 

I would encourage all who read this petition to sign it whether you have children playing fall high school sports or not and you agree that we need to be able to have a choice.  Resuming high school sports in August should be our choice and our children's choice to participate as it has always been.  We need to get a momentum with this and speak up to our Legislature, Department of Health, Minnesota State High School League, and Department of Education.  We need to have the basic choice to decide if we do or we don't want to attend activities, events, and classes. I am sure most of us know of friends or relatives families that would be affected by the States ruling not to allow all fall high school sports in Minnesota.  Forward this to anyone who wants to sign this if they agree. The more people the better.  Please spread the word!!!!!