The 'grossly despicable condition' of M-W athletic fields
For those of us who were at the Monroe-Woodbury football game last Friday against Newburgh witnessed an effort by a group of players, coaches and staff to overcome odds that unfortunately they had no control of. One hundred percent of those in attendance agreed on one aspect of the evening: The playing field was in grossly despicable condition, yet the game was still played. I heard many blame the administration, the referees and MSG Varsity for the game being played on that field. The only blame to be placed is on our community. A community that has pulled together for so many tragic events yet we can’t pull together to ensure that not only football, but M-W soccer, M-W lacrosse, M-W baseball, phys ed classes, boys and girls youth sports and non-profit fund-raising events can have an opportunity to use a field that represents the class that our school district exhibits. I’ll take much of the blame for the field proposal not passing, as the message wasn’t put out in a more timely fashion, nor was it understood by many voters who cast a no vote, or those who chose not to vote. I’ll take blame for allowing one person who ran for the School Board last year whose platform was to deny the students and community the opportunity to have a gem of a facility, a profit-making sports facility to be proud of. So instead of placing blame of why the game was played on a mud-soaked field so disgracefully under par look in the mirror when you get home and ask yourself: “Did I do enough to help ensure that our students have the opportunity to showcase their sports talents on fields like Middletown and Newburgh.” Also note that, in essence, those sports facilities were paid by some of your tax dollars through grants. There will be much frustration in our community until a facility is constructed to ensure the safety and best interests for all of us. And if you are one who has those frustrations, it should be channeled toward helping make our entire fields and sports facilities something to be proud of. Yours in sport, Tony Cardone Monroe