BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Section VI Football has reversed its decision to change to league-based scheduling, a move that would have left five football teams within Buffalo Public Schools without any opponents outside of the city.
In a statement, Section VI President Adam Stoltman said that returning high school football to league-based play would have reduced travel time and costs for the 63 football teams and would have enhanced league rivalries. However, they acknowledged that they value the perspectives and concerns by Buffalo Public Schools.
Controversy over: Section VI will keep things the way it was last season with its football teams. Here’s the statement sent to @NewsRadio930 pic.twitter.com/3H2hYUzxFi
— Mike Baggerman (@MikeBaggerman)
January 20, 2020 "The Executive Committee believes that this morning's action to delay any implementation of the return to league-based play will provide an opportunity to engage in on-going meaningful dialogue with the BPS, as well as well as the Section’s other members, and to ultimately ensure that a return to league-based play addresses the concerns of the BPS while enhancing the opportunities and experiences of the student-athletes who participate in high school football within the Section," the statement said.
Section VI football's reversal of their decision earlier this month comes after several days of pressure and criticism, including a press conference held Monday at Bennett High School with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and other elected officials.
"(Reversing their decision) will cement the advances we have all made in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals across Western New York," Brown said hours before Section VI announced its reversal. "When we embrace these values, especially in the context of education and school sports, we communicate how vital these principles are to the prosperity of our city and the region and the formation of the next generation of leaders."
