Huck's
Idea on Prep-La Salle Cancellation
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The St. Joseph's Prep-La Salle football game has been
canceled for Thanksgiving.
Ed "Huck" Palmer, of Puck-crushing, game-picking fame
(smile), weighs in with
an idea.
I understand that it’s
“unprecedented” that teams play each other three times in one season, but is
that the real reason behind the cancellation of this game? I ask, if these two teams were
a little more evenly matched would this game still go on? I’m an outsider to the
situation, but in my opinion I think the game would still be happening if the talent level
between the two teams called for a more competitive game.
Who cares how many times the
teams have already played? Shouldn’t the playing of the game be about the kids? I'd
be willing to bet if you polled the players on the respective teams, that overwhelmingly
they would vote for the game to be played.
I understand that a game between
the two teams has already taken place, and Friday night a more important playoff clash
will happen. However, a game played on Thanksgiving holds a special meaning for many. This
is supposed to be the game in which we throw out all the records, and when the players
give everything they have not just for themselves, but for the hundreds of former players
and alumni that have participated in this day for the past 27 years.
The game not being played is
just one of the traditions that has been taken away from the thousands of La Salle and
Prep supporters. Many family traditions will also have to take a one-year hiatus. For
many, this Thanksgiving Day game is the time for people to share in day that has a unique
and special meaning. It’s a day for families to bond and come together in an
atmosphere that can only be had on Thanksgiving. It’s a pity that a decision made by
few has now gone ahead and affected so many.
What about the senior players on
each of the teams? They’ll have no Thanksgiving Day memories to share in the future.
This experience has been snatched away from them without any real consideration to what
they feel. I’m not just talking about the act of playing a game that will be lost,
but all of the experiences that surround the game. Yes, football is one of these
experiences, but so is tradition, family, competitiveness, pride, spirit, and history.
Sadly, there’s no guarantee
that this will be a one-year misfortune. I doubt that the Catholic League will go back to
North and South divisions just to make sure La Salle and Prep get to play on Thanksgiving.
St. Joe’s Prep and La Salle have excellent programs and with a six-team playoff
format it is very conceivable that similar circumstances could arise again. I can see it
now, the teams will yet again schedule a game for Thanksgiving next year, exciting all
interested parties. Wait one second, let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that the
teams don’t meet for a second time prior to Thanksgiving. That’s ridiculous!
As far as I’m concerned all
of the players on the two teams have lost out on a wonderful opportunity. The opportunity
for these players to strap on the equipment and play the game they love to play one last
time. Many of the kids involved won’t play past high school. Let them have their last
scheduled game. Instead of having them end their careers thinking they couldn’t play
their last game because playing a team three times in one year might be too much. Remember
folks it’s just a football game being played by kids.
Before getting to my proposal I
would like to mention a few things. First, I’m not associated with St. Joe’s
Prep or La Salle at all, except in that I enjoy watching them compete in high school
athletics. Second, I understand that things may seen more complicated than they appear,
but I’m just some one who’s for having kids play in as many games as possible.
Lastly, I just came up with this proposal off the top of my head, not too long ago, so if
it sounds absurd I apologize.
If possible I propose having SJ
Prep and LaSalle take on two-of-the-four Inter-Ac schools (Malvern, Penn Charter,
Germantown Academy, or Episcopal) on Thanksgiving in a doubleheader. Possibly playing the
games at 9:00 and 12:00 o’clock at LaSalle University. If time or playing
back-to-back games on a grass field is an issue, which I feel it could be, I then have
another option. Maybe, the games could be played at Villanova Stadium, which has a field.
If a 12:00 start is too late, then one game could be played at La Salle and the other at
Villanova.
This won’t be a yearly
event, just a solution for salvaging something for Thanksgiving this year. Stealing an
idea from Ted, I propose that the revenue from the games be donated to charity. I would
hope that one or both of the universities involved would donate the use of their
facilities. After all it is Thanks-giving!
What a better way to spend the early part of Thanksgiving, watching some exciting and quality football, and raising money for people much less fortunate than ourselves. Playing football and helping others, can you think of anything else more American!?!?!?
Good luck to
all of the players who play the game they love to play,
Ed
“Huck” Palmer