Muskie athletes irked of loss of sports

Muskie athletes are angry the high school sports program has fallen victim to the teachers’ dispute with the provincial government–at least for now.
But many aren’t blaming the teachers, who last week decided not to volunteer to help with extra-curricular activities, including sports, stemming from a heavier workload legislated by Bill 74.
“It makes me mad,” said grade 12 student Josh McMahon, who’s played for the Muskie volleyball and basketball teams in past years. “Sports are a part of school–it is a part of Fort Frances.”
“It really sucks. It will be a disappointment if we don’t get to play basketball,” said Steve Carlson, a ninth-grader who plays on the Muskie ‘B’ football team and was planning to try out for the junior boys’ basketball squad.
Grade 12 student Linda Zimmerman, who also has suited up for the basketball and volleyball squads, noted sports is why many students stay in school.
“Sports are what makes school fun,” she stressed. “That is why we come to school. It makes you try harder because you have to do well in class to stay on the team.
“It is something to strive for.”
“Sports is how a lot of kids get recognized for scholarships,” echoed Noreen Hartlin, a grade 12 student who was a member of the Muskie girls’ soccer team.
“What will they do now?” she wondered.
Despite being angry over the dispute, McMahon understands this is not the teachers’ fault. “I don’t blame the teachers and it’s not their fault. It is [Premier] Harris’ fault,” he charged.
Zimmerman agreed this isn’t something the teachers want to be doing.
“They are not happy about it–they feel sorry for us,” she said. “Now what are we supposed to do? It’s going to be school, school, school.”
Still, not everyone feels the same way. A few students disagree with the stand the teachers are taking because they feel it is selfish.
“I think it is ridiculous that they are taking away sports. Everyone here is going to get mad at the teachers,” fumed Dusty Gray, a grade 11 student who plays on the defensive line for the Muskie ‘A’ football team.
“Students won’t get scouted for colleges and universities–people won’t get a chance to get scholarships,” he argued.
Grade 10 student Eric Sedgwick, who plays centre for the football squad, noted there was a lot of Muskie pride at the high school and not having any sports takes it all away.
“This is disappointing. Now we have nothing to look forward to,” he said. “In a way, I am mad at the teachers but I understand. I know that if the teachers go against their union, they are betraying the union . . . some teachers really want to coach but they don’t have a choice.”
Shane MacDonald, Muskie linebacker noted that although he is upset that there won’t be any sports this year he isn’t mad.
“I am sort of mad at the teachers,” echoed linebacker Shane MacDonald. “Some of them are split down the middle with what they want to do.”