Amityville cancels varsity football after injury concerns, marking 3rd LI program to fold before kickoff
In a letter to the community, Amityville Superintendent Dr. Gina Talbert said moving junior varsity players to the varsity roster before they are physically ready would create additional safety concerns.
Amityville Memorial High School has canceled its varsity football season before the start of play, citing a high number of player injuries.
The decision makes Amityville the third Long Island high school to shut down its varsity football program ahead of the season. Port Jefferson canceled its season because of low player turnout, while Holy Trinity Diocesan High School in Hicksville ended its varsity program after its head coach resigned.
“I’d definitely be concerned if there were a lot of problems with injuries,” said Frank DeMotto, of Copiague.
The announcement sparked discussion on News 12’s Facebook page, where viewers weighed in on the district’s decision.
One commenter asked: “Why can’t they have the JV move up?”
Another wrote: “One in four NFL players have CTE. It’s not worth sacrificing your child’s brain.”
Dr. Rosanna Sabini, of Northwell Health, said football players face a range of injury risks, including damage to the knees, ankles and shoulders, but concussions remain a major concern.
“You can see knee and ankle injuries. You can have shoulder injuries, but there also is the big elephant in the room, which is concussions,” Sabini said.
Sabini said repeated head injuries can increase the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain condition linked to long-term neurological and psychological effects.
“Balance issues, weakness, tremors. They can have psychiatric issues where they maybe become more depressed or anxious,” she said.
In a letter to the community, Amityville Superintendent Dr. Gina Talbert said moving junior varsity players to the varsity roster before they are physically ready would create additional safety concerns.
A local athletic director agrees.
“You’re looking at a 14- or 15-year-old in comparison to a 17- or 18-year-old,” said Anthony Cracco, athletic director for the Patchogue-Medford School District. “There’s a vast disparity in physical abilities.”
Despite the varsity cancellation, Amityville officials said the junior varsity season will continue as scheduled. The district said it will focus on developing younger players with the goal of rebuilding the football program in future seasons.
