"PSD denies football team’s plan to honor military"

2015-08-21T14:25:37-04:00

From: The Coloradoan

Poudre School District has denied the Fossil Ridge High School football team’s request to individually honor fallen members of the U.S. armed forces.

The team hoped to memorialize those fallen service members by wearing their last names across the back of their uniforms in place of their own names, but the district won’t allow it.

The district’s decision comes after three months of military education by the team and ongoing requests for approval.

Fossil Ridge players had requested the school outfit the team with camouflage uniforms this season. Coach Brian Tinker required his team to undergo military training and education, including CrossFit activities and a rock walk. In addition, every player was required to research the family and background of a deceased member of the armed forces.

The uniforms will be worn on military appreciation night Oct. 15 vs. Legacy. They were purchased by the booster club.

A final plea was made Wednesday morning by Lt. Colonel Randy Russell of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, a parent of a Fossil Ridge player, who met with PSD Executive Director of Communications Danielle Clark.

Russell said Clark’s message to him was that the district was concerned that allowing this instance would open the door for teams to honor organizations other than the military in similar fashion.

A prepared statement by the district said, “PSD cannot comply with this request without giving other causes the same opportunity. Unlike the National Football League, which can use uniforms to support specific causes, public high schools do not typically use school property, such as team jerseys, in this manner.

“As a publicly funded agency, PSD respects the diverse opinions of our community. Thus, the district does not support any one cause over another. PSD policy regarding this matter is intended to protect students from being used for promotional purposes. However, students may support causes through their First Amendment rights.”

PSD declined the Coloradoan’s request to speak with any district officials about its stance.

CHSAA, the governing body overseeing high school athletics in Colorado, has bylaws that limit teams to a 4-square-inch memorial patch on uniforms. These bylaws are the same as the National Federation of State High School Associations’. CHSAA assistant commissioner Harry Waterman said the organization does not prohibit a team from placing a player’s name — or anyone’s name — on the back of a jersey.

He added that CHSAA hadn’t before seen a team wish to memorialize anyone by placing their name on the back of a jersey and was unsure how the organization would handle the situation.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Poudre School District had not contacted CHSAA about Fossil Ridge’s request. Waterman said he spoke with Fossil Ridge athletic director Ken Denning about making sure the camouflage uniforms were legal in terms of number size and coloring but that they didn’t discuss using the back of jerseys as a memorial.

CHSAA permits the names of corporate sponsors to appear on high school athletic uniforms.

Fossil Ridge opens the season Sept. 3 when it hosts Boulder at French Field.

For insight and analysis on athletics around Northern Colorado and the Mountain West, follow sports columnist Matt L. Stephens at twitter.com/mattstephens and facebook.com/stephensreporting.

Full statement from PSD

"Poudre School District and Fossil Ridge High School value the commitment and sacrifice of our military.

As such, the district and school are working to find ways to honor military heroes.

The request from a parent to place names of select fallen military members on the back of Fossil Ridge High School football jerseys is admirable. However, PSD cannot comply with this request without giving other causes the same opportunity. Unlike the National Football League, which can use uniforms to support specific causes, public high schools do not typically use school property, such as team jerseys, in this manner.

As a publicly funded agency, PSD respects the diverse opinions of our community. Thus, the district does not support any one cause over another. PSD policy regarding this matter is intended to protect students from being used for promotional purposes. However, students may support causes through their First Amendment rights.

We regret that the intentions of the district and school were misconstrued and mischaracterized as unpatriotic. PSD shares the community’s value of honoring those who dedicate their lives in service to our country and looks forward to recognizing the contributions of veterans at our schools this year."

http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2015/08/19/high-school-football-military-uniform/32009203/

School district denies football team’s plan to honor fallen military service members

Local high school football team not allowed to individually honor fallen members of the U.S. military on its uniforms.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 2:28 PM

2015-08-21T14:28:42-04:00

I really like the thought of doing it, but actually support the school district's decision. It is something they couldn't blanket approve to everyone and eventually you would have some crazy alternatives to military members that people wanted to wear. And at that point you've set a precedent.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 21 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-08-21T15:25:33-04:00

Ehhh, nice as it would be for them to have allowed it, the board has a point -- they'd have to let every group that wanted to do it, and then where does it stop? It was a nice gesture, handled correctly imo, by all involved.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 21 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-08-21T15:35:54-04:00

Now, the NFL charging the Military pissed me off.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Aug 21 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-08-21T17:50:41-04:00

While I mumbled obscenities about the Poudre School District's decision, I get it. Both my girls play sports under CHSAA rules: Their team honored a class-mate on their uniforms last year. Albeit, it was a non-descript, small sticker reflecting the classmate's initials, placed immediately next to the numbers on the back of their helmets: it fell within the rules. Differences in getting approval: 1.) Nobody outside the team questioned it; and, 2.) The girls never asked permission.

While I applaud the Fossil Creek HS teams effort, they learned a valuable lesson about functioning within the both the letter and spirit of the law.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 22 at 2015 5:27 AM

2015-08-22T05:27:47-04:00

So why don't they just do the memorial patches instead?

Response by SSgt Brian Blumenberg made Aug 22 at 2015 4:20 PM

2015-08-22T16:20:58-04:00

I bet if they wanted to wear rainbow colored jerseys they would be approved in a heartbeat.

Response by SSgt Brian Blumenberg made Aug 22 at 2015 4:22 PM

2015-08-22T16:22:14-04:00

I bet if they wanted to wear rainbow colored jerseys to honor LGBT folks it would be approved in a heartbeat!

Response by SPC John Decker made Aug 22 at 2015 8:56 PM

2015-08-22T20:56:43-04:00

As much as the act would be appreciated by the families of those honored, it would, because of the equal protection clauses in the Constitution, open the door to appreciation of people or groups not generally looked at as good. Our oath to preserve, protect and defend the constitution, leaves little room for personal feelings. I applaud the decision to say and publish the thinking behind the decision.

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Aug 22 at 2015 11:15 PM

2015-08-22T23:15:17-04:00

No issue with the decision as long as they stick to it and do not honor any group or cause. My gut says some other cause or group will be honored and the district will come up with an excuse