An open letter to our state’s governor

Jeremy Sellew

Dear Gov. Wolf,
I know this letter is something you’ll never read. At least I’m assuming as much since you “never saw” the letter from the PIAA concerning sharing its options and the opportunity to engage in fall sports.
You sir, have failed as a leader. You’re at least supposed to try to find a way and communicate.
First, I must say, your original “strong recommendation” to postpone all youth and school-affiliated sports was presented in an absolutely cowardly manner as you skirted away from the podium during a press briefing.
Secondly, I find it disturbing that you and Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said the “data” will guide the state’s approach to high school sports, yet later admit there is no data! If ever there was a time and place for a no-confidence vote in our state’s leadership, now is that time.
How about the data from the Allegheny County Health Department last week, which gets information and statistics from some of the best hospitals in the world. According to ACHD figures, there hasn’t been a significant increase in cases among adolescent athletes.
Dr. Levine also made a statement indicating that the state’s focus is on education and not sports. Are you two aware of how much education takes place during fall sports seasons and competition? Do you realize how much of an outlet sports is for our athletes in the state? Even children as young as 6 or 8 years old need sports, whether it’s football, soccer, cross country, golf, tennis, etc.
After losing their entire spring sports season and the end of a normal school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am appalled at how callous your administration has been when it comes to the concerns of the youth of our state. It’s even more disturbing for me because Dr. Levine has a background in pediatrics and psychology.
I have more faith in the PIAA’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee being able to provide safe protocols and practices than politicians who are so out of touch with interscholastic athletics.
You go out and make this recommendation and throw the PIAA and WPIAL and other state districts into absolute chaos. Then you acknowledge you “haven’t seen” the correspondence from the PIAA and make a statement saying, “I’m not sure what they could say that would make me change my sense of what I believe is the right thing to do.”
You said you do, however, have an open mind. To me, that’s a bold-faced lie because you supposedly DIDN’T READ THE LETTER!
I’m all for being safe. I’m all for keeping our young kids healthy. But for me, that comes with allowing them to play sports this fall. If parents don’t want their kids to play, they’re more than welcome to sit this season out.
Over the past few weeks, your administration had schools develop Athletic Health and Safety Plans and Return to Play policies. Now you’re pretty much putting them on notice you have the ability to pull the rug right out from under them again.
Dr. Levine, showing how out of touch your administration is, made a statement about how sports aren’t happening around the state.
I’m pretty sure I helped plan and run a softball tournament over three weeks in June and July. I’ve covered a pair of baseball leagues that have played throughout the summer, and I just covered the end of a seven-week indoor basketball league. Not to mention the AAU basketball tournaments that have played throughout the summer and the local youth baseball and softball teams that are wrapping up their summer seasons. Non-profit organizations have held races outdoors and other fundraising sporting events have also taken place.
Do you know how many outbreaks we had in our softball tournament and basketball league? None, sir. And while we practiced the protocols and guidelines put out at the county, state and federal level, I know the health and safety plans set up by the schools in this area are even more detailed, much safer than AAU or travel guidelines.
Your blatant disrespect shown by failing to even meet with the PIAA personally or join the teleconference tells me a lot about you as a person. I understand that’s what you have staff for, but according to your statement about not seeing what they can say to make you change your stance, I don’t see why you’re even sending staff to meet.
Your staff reiterated the decision to play is a “local school decision.”
I hope the PIAA stands up to you and tells you where to stick your recommendation. I hope the organization truly does what’s best for the student-athletes in Pennsylvania. I hope school leaders, who are tasked with keeping students safe and healthy, make the decision to go ahead and take the field in the fall and let parents decide if their children can play.
But here you come, making your “strong recommendation” knowing you have all the power here. You say you’re just one man and one man with an opinion. But you’re supposed to be the leader of the entire state, you know, actually caring about your citizens. But you don’t even care enough to share a table with the PIAA.
If my child can go to school for her education, she can get on the field and learn lessons there as well.
High school sports can be held without fans. Isn’t that one of the things your health department came up with, too? You know, before your “strong recommendation.”
You should take some notes from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who actually wants to sit down with schools and coaches. Golf, tennis, volleyball and cross country teams are playing next door to us. There’s no reason those sports can’t be played here, with restricted amounts of fans or none at all.
As a member of the media, one dedicated to local high school athletes especially, I felt I needed to express my anger, frustration and thoughts. I will continue fighting for my pseudo-constituency because their elected officials — mainly you and those belonging to your party — continue to put politics first, not their constituents. I’m glad to see members of the state legislature continuing to fight against your blanket mandates.
I just hope your next one doesn’t involve crushing the spirits of high school athletes again. Sports are a big part of the educational experience. They also provide hope for those pursuing scholarships who may not have an opportunity to pay for higher education. I hope school administrators and the PIAA stand up to your “strong recommendation” and get the kids on the field this fall.
They need this to happen and they deserve it.

Jeremy Sellew is the sports editor of the Mon Valley Independent.