Everyone knows how much Woodford County values their athletics program. While this is undoubtedly true, it is no question that favoritism takes place on and off the field. Today’s article focuses on a spring sport here at Woodford County that is drastically undervalued: Lacrosse.
The duration of spring lacrosse season for both the boys and girls teams is from February to May. This means that the official lacrosse season ends three months before the annual football season begins. This, however, does not stop the football team from stealing the turf field at Falling Springs from both lacrosse teams in the midst of state-wide lacrosse tournaments.
It is issued by the athletic department here at WCHS that the football team does in fact have first claim on the turf field at Falling Springs, even when the football team is not in season. For the past couple of weeks, both boys and girls teams have been practicing on the grass soccer field at WCMS.
Why is that an issue? Now everyone has somewhere to practice.
Not quite. While less thought of teams are usually thrown to this WCMS field last minute, the field has not been recently mowed, or undergone any sort of upkeep. There are holes, weeds, excessively long uncomfortable grass, and no leveled surfaces to practice on. This is dangerous for our players, especially during the time of their season that matters most. This is not fair.
Just last week, one of the Varsity Boys Lacrosse players fell on the WCMS grass field and injured his ankle. “This would not have happened if we had been on the turf.” Said coach Ted Wilson.
This treatment towards our Woodford County Lacrosse Teams is disrespectful, dangerous, and cannot be ignored. Each and every sports team within the Woodford County Athletics Department should be treated with equal respect, validation, and regocnition. The second that our community fails to respect these values, the safety of our student athletes is at stake. This is unacceptable, and can hopefully be modified in the future.
Students: When you see or hear of any disrespectful or unjust activity within our community, use your voice. You never know who you may be validating, and much less how large of an impact you are actually making.
I’m Elizabeth Jackson, signing off for 23-24 school year.
