Eighth-graders not allowed on varsity teams
By Doug Grindle Community Reporter

Marlborough - Eighth-graders will no longer be allowed to play on varsity sports teams at Marlborough High School.

The decision came at a meeting of the School Committee, after members differed sharply on the issue.

Committee member Mark Hediger told the full committee that the policy subcommittee voted, 2-0, to not allow the practice.

He said the decision was reached after "taking into account physical, psychological and emotional pressure on the students" that could arise from playing varsity sports.

Two committee members said they disagreed sharply with the recommendation of the subcommittee.

"We are talking about a very select few students who are able to do this," committee member Robert Seymour said.

Seymour said it is unlikely eighth-graders would play if they were not ready to do so.

"There is a built-in mechanism here. As a School Committee member I am not happy to step over," he said.

Seymour explained that three factors would all serve to prevent unsuitable students from making it onto a varsity team: a student's desire to play, the judgment of the coach and the influence of the parents.

"There are enough checks and balances in place between the kid, the coach and the parent that this policy is overkill," Seymour said. "If my daughter were athletically advanced enough to play softball or soccer, I wouldn't want someone to tell her she can't so that."

Committee Vice Chair Kathleen Robey also said eighth-graders should be allowed to play on varsity teams. She said she had told eighth-graders when they were allowed into the high school that they would be able to participate in anything else the other students did. She said it was not fair to discriminate against them, and the committee should vote against the recommendation of the policy subcommittee.

"I do not support this as a policy or as a procedure," Robey said.

Other committee members indicated they did not want to see eighth-graders on varsity teams.

Joseph Delano said it would be bad for others who have paid their dues to get a slot on a varsity team.

"What about the seniors who have worked for years and then the young superstar comes along and they're out?" Delano asked.

He added that the experience could be too much for eighth-graders.

"You can be physically developed but not emotionally or socially," Delano said. "It can be horrible. It can be such a negative experience that it is almost beyond words."

He added that young players were not necessarily well protected from the pressures by the coaches or their parents.

"The checks and balances are not as strong as they seem," Delano said. "Our coaches, a good part of their evaluation is 'do you win?' And coaches want to win."

Seymour replied that while older players might have to sit on the sidelines and the lessons learned might be harsh, those lessons could be a good thing.

"Is it a life lesson that someone is better [at something] than you?" Seymour asked. "Absolutely."

The committee voted, 5-2, to pass the subcommittee recommendation. Seymour and Robey voted against.

Other business

During the committee meeting, High School Principal, Mary Carlson presented information about new courses to be offered next year.

"These will be optional courses that will be added to the curriculum," Carlson said. "So many students that have passed the MCAS are looking for more challenges."

The courses are generally single-semester, seminartype courses, and are geared to specialty subjects such as Shakespeare, Carlson said.

Robey said she was concerned that the courses would replace yearlong courses of a more traditional format.

"A lot of these sound like seminars that used to be offered but were stopped due to lack of interest," Robey said.

Carlson said the courses would be offered but not taught unless there was sufficient student interest. She noted that no additional staff would need to be hired as the current number of teachers could handle the job.