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Football

Rivals rally at capitol in bid to save football season; Lamont asks CIAC, DPH to meet

Michael Fornabaio | September 9, 2020

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Greenwich High football players pose for a group picture after the rally at the Capitol on Wednesday.
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Greenwich High football players pose for a group picture after the rally at the Capitol on Wednesday.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Greenwich High football moms Liz Tommasino amd Mitzi Ceci, left, attend a rally on the grounds of the state Capitol in Hartford on Wednesday. High school football coaches, players and parents from across the state came to Hartford to protest cancellation of the upcoming season due to the coronavirus, including Greenwich High football moms
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Greenwich High football moms Liz Tommasino amd Mitzi Ceci, left, attend a rally on the grounds of the state Capitol in Hartford on Wednesday. High school football coaches, players and parents from across the state came to Hartford to protest cancellation of the upcoming season due to the coronavirus, including Greenwich High football moms

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Greenwich High School cheerleaders strike a pose after a rally on the grounds of the dtate Capitol in Hartford on Wednesday. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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Greenwich High School cheerleaders strike a pose after a rally on the grounds of the dtate Capitol in Hartford on Wednesday. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
New Fairfield's Mike Peterson speaks during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford in September. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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New Fairfield’s Mike Peterson speaks during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford in September. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Fairfield Warde High football player Justin Galemba carries a team flag during Wednesday's rally.
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Fairfield Warde High football player Justin Galemba carries a team flag during Wednesday’s rally.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
St. Joseph High football player Brady Hutchison shows off his playoff rings during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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St. Joseph High football player Brady Hutchison shows off his playoff rings during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Over a thousand high football coaches, players and their families attend a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. They came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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Over a thousand high football coaches, players and their families attend a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. They came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Branford High football players pose for a group pic after a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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Branford High football players pose for a group pic after a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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A youth holds a sign that reads,
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A youth holds a sign that reads, "King Ned Let Us Play" during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Hall High School football player Divine Edwards, of West Hartford, attends a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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Hall High School football player Divine Edwards, of West Hartford, attends a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Amity High football player Cameron Luciano speaks during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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Amity High football player Cameron Luciano speaks during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus on Wednesday.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus on Wednesday.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the state Capitol in Hartford last week to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the state Capitol in Hartford last week to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Amity High football player Cameron Luciano speaks during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford on Wednesday. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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Amity High football player Cameron Luciano speaks during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford on Wednesday. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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Greenwich High football player James Rinello attends a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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Greenwich High football player James Rinello attends a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Members of the Greenwich High School football team pose for photos after a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.
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Members of the Greenwich High School football team pose for photos after a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020. High school football coaches and players from across the state came to Hartford to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
38of50

High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state went to the Hartford State Capitol building ni September to protest not being able to play due to the coronavirus.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state went to the Hartford State Capitol building ni September to protest not being able to play due to the coronavirus.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus on Sept. 9.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus on Sept. 9.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
44of50

High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state at the state Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus this week.
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High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state at the state Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus this week.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
47of50

High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
48of50
High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
49of50Buy Photo

High school football coaches, players and their families from across the state came to the Hartford State Capitol building to protest not being able to play in the upcoming season due to the coronavirus in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
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HARTFORD — They’ve brought their message to the state Capitol building, and they didn’t go quietly into winter. And maybe the governor heard.

Players from at least 40 high school football teams around the state came to the Capitol on Wednesday evening, rallying to try to save a CIAC season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was very empowering to see a whole bunch of different towns come together for a cause,” Danbury captain Nick Smith said. “We have our opponents here, rivals on the field, but we’re all friends now, all fighting for the season we want to have.”

After the state Department of Public Health declined to recommend playing 11-on-11, contact football, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference announced on Friday that it would not hold football competition this fall. The governing body for high school sports in the state had earlier, during a summer in which it admitted its fall plan would be fluid, said that it would not play in the spring any sport that wasn’t held in the fall. Teams are still permitted to condition.

In an interview on News 12 CT on Wednesday night, Gov. Ned Lamont said he has asked DPH to meet with the CIAC again. 

“I want to see football be played. I also want it to be played safely. The reason we have the lowest infection rate in the country is because we’ve erred on the side of caution,” Lamont said. 

I'm calling for a meeting between @CTDPH and @ciacsports to be held on Friday regarding ways to safely hold school sports. We have an obligation to all of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators to keep them safe, and I expect that goal to be the focus of the discussion. pic.twitter.com/une30SlshO

— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) September 10, 2020

“But that said, I’ve asked Public Health to sit down with CIAC. They’re going to do that on Friday and get the league’s best ideas on how we can play safely. Everybody’s trying to be creative and allow these kids to play football, but do it in a way that keeps the risk down.”

In a statement, CIAC executive director Glenn Lungarini said the two sides had spoken and the informed the governor the CIAC was available to discuss the issue on Friday. “The CIAC appreciates Governor Lamont’s support in convening this meeting on short notice and looks forward to a productive student-centered discussion,” he said.

State representatives from both sides of the aisle released letters this week asking Lamont to get involved in the discussion. Senate Republicans on Tuesday asked DPH to clarify its guidance, and Senate Democrats on Wednesday asked the CIAC and DPH to work toward football in the fall or spring. 

Today, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus wrote a letter to the @ciacsports Executive Director and the @CTDPH Commissioner requesting help to find a way for high school students to play football safely this school year. pic.twitter.com/H3ZpD8mbbn

— CT Senate Democrats (@CTSenateDems) September 9, 2020

As the news came down Friday morning, Haddam-Killingworth senior Daniel LaRosa was sitting in a personal finance class. Teammate Kevin Cavrell texted him that they needed to start a petition.

“We expected maybe 500, 1,000 signatures if we were lucky,” LaRosa said. “It blows up: We got 33,000.”

They helped organize Wednesday’s rally, which packed hundreds of players onto the steps of the Capitol, most appearing to be wearing masks. An estimated 1,200 people attended in all.

“By Sunday night, it was huge. We had 30 schools in on it. It was everywhere,” LaRosa said. “We probably haven’t slept in two days.”

More than 40 teams were represented, all around the state, Greenwich to Killingly, New London to Quinebaug Valley.

“Today was an exciting chance to show what everyone around the state of Connecticut wants to happen, a football season in the fall,” Smith said.

“It really shows how we can come together and make our voices heard, and what we want to happen in the fall.”

There were smaller gatherings over the weekend in West Hartford and New Canaan, all the while planning for Wednesday.

Even a little way into the crowd on Wednesday, it wasn’t easy to hear the speakers. Chants of “let us play” radiated effectively, though.

“Everything said was just reinforcement of what we all hold deep in our hearts,” Smith said.

One heckler was escorted away by police.

The afternoon ended with a march around the building, and then the crowd dispersed. Some returned to the steps for photos, and at least one returned to the lectern to give his speech for his family.

People held up signs of all sorts: “Flag on the Call: Let Them Play Ball,” “Don’t Bench Our Season,” “11 Players, 1 Heart.” Another referred to the low death rate of COVID-19 among people under 20. DPH’s objection is more related to community spread.

Players argue, though, that the state’s COVID-19 metrics are excellent at the start.

“Basically today we want to get our season back. We want to play, the fall, the spring, whenever we can play, we want to get out there,” East Haven senior Trey Garea said. “It’s our senior season. COVID, we’ve got some of the lowest rates in the country.

“I think we deserve it. We’re following the guidelines. The CIAC’s got a great plan set forth for us.”

Wednesday, groups began arriving around 3:30 p.m. for the 5 p.m. rally, many decked out in team jerseys.

“This isn’t a bunch of football coaches that just want to get the game on. This is all about the kids. I think that’s been a unique perspective,” Rockville coach Erick Knickerbocker said.

“There’ll be friendships made through all this, which is just crazy, through these crazy times.”

Knickerbocker said his team was excited to try to get something done, but the back-and-forth has taken a toll over the past couple of months.

“The uncertainty is really starting to get to them. The kids who work, the kids who can play other sports: What do they do? How long can you continue to go down this road?” Knickerbocker said. “I think they just need answers. If it’s really going to be a cancellation, just come out and say it. Seven-on-seven is really a cancellation.”

Pete Paguaga contributed to this report.

 

About Michael Fornabaio

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