Student athletes and parents rallied outside Bethlehem High School Wednesday night during the school’s board meeting to express their frustration with the decision that soccer and field hockey won’t be played this fall. 

The district has moved the seasons to March, despite the fact that the state has determined them to be moderate risk sports and gave them a green light to begin this month. 

Those concerned with the decision say not all schools have followed suit, meaning Bethlehem would not have enough schools to play in the spring.

District officials say on-field safety concerns are the reason for moving these sports, while athletes say they can still be played safely.

“How other schools are planning to handle this, they’re planning to wear masks while they play, they’re planning to follow social distancing guidelines as well as possible, and they’re ready to play. They’re giving their kids a season, they know that it can be done, and they know their kids deserve it,” said Bethlehem senior and field hockey player Natalie Qualia. 

“I just really wish they would take a look at how all the clubs in the center have been doing it. At my club, we have not had any issues with COVID-19, so I think we could definitely follow their guidelines and even the guidelines that were given to us by the Governor and the state and everything, because that’s what everyone else is following. If everyone else thinks they’re good guidelines to follow, I think that we should also follow them,” said Bethlehem senior and soccer player Chase Livesey.

In a statement released Wednesday night, the district confirmed that it will be upholding its decision to limit fall sports to low-risk varsity athletics, including cross country, tennis, swimming and golf, while soccer and field hockey shall remain postponed to the Fall 2 season starting in March.

The district says the Fall 2 season was established by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) to accommodate the more moderate to high-risk sports and that there will be plenty of schools for Bethlehem athletes to compete with then, COVID-19 restrictions permitting. 

“Our obligation is to ensure the safety of students and staff and to make sure we don’t jeopardize the successful reopening of our schools,“ said Superintendent Jody Monroe. “I think that given the number of schools that have moved to the Fall 2 season, a spring start for these moderate-risk sports would be safer for everyone and would provide a more viable option for a season that could be planned well in advance without the uncertainty we are faced with during this most important transition back to the classroom.”  

Supporters of hosting soccer and field hockey seasons in the fall were invited to speak during the Wednesday night board meeting which was streamed live and will be available on district’s website Thursday.