We are a group of athletes, parents and supporters who would like to see fall high school sports reinstated in Maryland. While we understand the initial need to be cautious, it is now clear that Mid-Atlantic states are rescinding their decisions to postpone fall sports. Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey have already voted to begin fall sports later this month. Delaware, after an overwhelming push to follow suit, will vote this week. 

By sidelining the season, student athletes will ultimately suffer. For some, athletics is an incentive to perform well academically. For others, it is a gateway to furthering their education at the collegiate level. For the majority however, they play for the love of the game.  As we saw this past spring, there are no extra years of eligibility for our high school seniors. And for some, this will be their last chance at taking the field, court or diamond. Kudos to our schools for finding creative ways to teach, participate in the arts and to even graduate. But there is no substitution for athletics.

As Maryland has now entered Phase 3, by order of Governor Larry Hogan, we ask MPSSAA to allow fall sports to be played under those guidelines. It is time to let our athletes play!