'Let Our Kids Play in PA' brings out hundreds of people in support of fall sports

On Thursday over two hundred people, including parents and student-athletes, filled the steps of the state Capitol building in Harrisburg to show their support in favor of fall sports.

The rally was put together by two mothers, Julie Wagner Burkart and Rachelle Gibbs.

Many people — most wearing masks — had signs displaying “Let Them Play,” and chants of “Let our kids play,” echoed throughout the steps of the building. 

On Aug. 6, Gov. Tom Wolf recommended that sports should not resume until at least Jan. 1, 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

More:State legislators push for fall sports; Wolf still recommends waiting until 2021

More:PIAA delays fall sports by at least two more weeks, hopes to convince Wolf

The PIAA voted Aug. 7, to delay fall sports by two weeks so the organization’s officials could meet with Wolf’s administration to discuss his recommendation.

On Friday, Aug. 21, the PIAA will make a decision regarding the future of fall sports for the upcoming year. But some school districts across the state have made the decision to cancel fall sports. 

Burkart and Gibbs know how important sports are to the youth, and they wanted their voices heard along with everyone else who was in support.

Burkart started Thursday's rally off by thanking everyone who came out.

More:Harrisburg High becomes third District 3 school to cancel sports for the fall

“We stand here today in support of all the student-athletes and family members eager to have a fall sports season,” Burkart said. “We need to keep fighting for the opening of fall sports.”

Gibbs said having a community that supports athletes playing sports goes a long way.

“Working together, we can build strong foundations for our children,” Gibbs said. “I personally have seen our communities and summer sports teams effectively create protocols to support the health of student-athletes.”

“Through academics and athletics, we are preparing children for life lessons.”

The rally featured a list of speakers who spoke out on why sports should resume this upcoming fall.

Ashlynn O’Neill, a senior from York Catholic High School in York County, was the first student to speak at the rally.

O’Neill is a cheerleader and plays on the field hockey and lacrosse team at York Catholic.

“I play sports simply because it is fun, but that is not the case for some of my fellow teammates,” she said. “Their college future depends on sports and not having a season will hurt their chances of attending a school beyond high school.”

“Not having sports has a huge impact on our mental health,” O’Neill went on to say during her speech. “It is affecting our mental state in ways we could never imagine.”

O’Neill talked about the anxiety she’s been going through during this time of uncertainty.

“I just want to enjoy my final year of playing sports in high school and have the opportunity to be around my teammates.”

Josh Fulton, a senior at Biglerville High School in Adams County, said he wants to have the opportunity to play his final football season.

“It would mean a lot to me if I could go out and enjoy my senior season,” Fulton said. “Sports have been a part of me my entire life, and I couldn’t imagine going a year without playing.”

Fulton had one message for the PIAA before they make a decision on Friday.

“Think about what you’re taking away from us,” he said. “It’s more than just a game for us and we take away life lessons from playing sports.”

Nick Andrasi, a junior on the York Catholic football team, said sports is an outlet for him and his teammates.

“There’s so many distractions that go on in the world and playing sports allows us to get away from those distractions, he said.

More:PIAA speaks with Wolf’s staff about sports recommendation; decision on hold until Aug. 21

Nick said he understands that health and safety of everyone, but he believes sports can still happen.

“Our coaching staff has done a great job of checking everyone’s temperature and making sure that we properly social distance,” he said. “We want sports to happen, and we’re doing everything we can to stay safe at the same time.”

State Sen. Mike Regan of the 31st District made it clear that he wants sports to resume in the fall.

“We need to protect our kids by letting them play,” Regan said. “They deserve to play and as a parent I don’t want to see something taking away from my kid that they worked so hard for.”

State Rep. Mike Reese, who’s a father of three children, said he was impressed by all the young people coming out to the rally to show their support.

“This is exactly what we need right now,” Reese said. “All of us are out here for one reason and that’s to have sports played in the fall.”

Reese also had a message for Wolf.

“Gov. Wolf, it’s not up to you if my kids will participate in fall activities,” he said. “You are not a king, and we are not your servants.”

Kevin Moore is the Sports Life Reporter for USA Today Network-Pennsylvania where he dives into a beat finding stories that have a deeper meaning than sports itself. He can be reached at kemoore@ydr.com, 717-309-4814, or on Twitter at @kevmoore93.

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