Update Regarding Upcoming Athletic Competition and Support for Our Student-Athletes
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Dear Newburgh Enlarged City School District students, athletes, parents, coaches, faculty, staff, fans, and the larger community,
I am writing to address the ongoing situation surrounding our upcoming athletic competition and the public commentary directed toward our student-athletes, coaches, and district.
As has been publicly acknowledged, the Middletown School District’s team, which has been disqualified for a rules violation, admitted to an administrative error regarding the requirements of the eligibility rules and has filed court papers seeking a temporary restraining order against our school district and our designated opponent for this Saturday’s Sectional Playoff Game, Valley Central. While we understand Middletown’s desire to protect its athletes from adult mistakes, it is deeply disappointing that our own student-athletes and coaches are now being unfairly criticized and scapegoated in the aftermath. Our team is readying itself for the Saturday game against Valley Central and should not be derailed from its preparation based upon what might be imminent legal proceedings.
Additionally, our team is now forced to prepare simultaneously to face two different teams—a challenge that carries significant competitive, psychological, and physical safety implications. Preparing a game plan and ensuring athlete safety requires knowing who will be on the field, and this prolonged ambiguity negatively impacts our students.
To be clear, the eligibility discrepancy was identified through standard scouting and game preparation. Scouting opponents is a routine, expected part of athletics at every level—from high school, collegiate, and professional sports all the way down to recreational leagues and fantasy football. Our coaching staff and students did nothing more than prepare diligently and ethically for competition.
Directing criticism at our program, coaches, and student-athletes for uncovering the rules violation by the Middletown team is a textbook example of deflection, in which accountability for one’s own errors is unfairly shifted onto others. Our district and our students are no strangers to scrutiny, often through no fault of their own. To subject our students and coaches to any criticism for this circumstance is misplaced and shameful.
I am profoundly disappointed in the behavior of adults—both within neighboring communities and on public platforms—who have exacerbated the situation by taking sides without recognizing the clearly stated rules or the historical context of similar situations. We can agree that student-athletes should be supported for their hard work, sportsmanship, and resilience, not targeted for the administrative missteps of others.
We deeply value our relationships with students, colleagues, and friends across neighboring districts—both on and off the playing field—and we must also respect the rules and policies put in place to govern everyone equally. Our district remains committed to fair play, transparency, and the well-being of our students. We will continue to support our coaches and athletes as they navigate this distraction with the integrity and class that define our Goldback Nation. Thank you to our parents, staff, and community members who continue to stand behind our students, coaches, and athletics staff.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell
Superintendent of Schools
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
