LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – Parents and students from the School District of La Crosse are pushing back at the district’s decision to postpone all fall sports until spring 2021.

On Thursday evening many rallied together outside Central High School for a spur of the moment protest.

Earlier this week concerned parents created an online petition, which now has over 600 signatures.

When asked if the district would reconsider the future of fall sports, Superintendent Aaron Engel said they are firm in their decision and focused on getting students back in schools first.

One mother says her son has been working hard all summer for cross country; she wouldn’t be protesting if she didn’t think the sport could be done safely.

“Maybe it’s not a big deal for you, but for those of us that have a personal stake and have seen tremendous growth and the ability to succeed in a venue that’s now being taken away from your child, I would just ask that you support us in having a season, even if you choose not to participate; and to not jump to the reaction that I don’t care about my son, because anyone who knows me knows I’d eat glass for this boy,” said Patricia Nelson.

Nelson’s son, Victor, ran at state last year for Logan High School.

She says he is the first athlete with autism to compete for Logan on the state level, and that the sport has been life-changing for him.

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