WA HS Athletes Start Petition to Demand Fall Sports

Now, high school students are trying to build the pressure on Gov. Inslee.

A group calling itself Student Athletes of Washington have started a change.org petition demanding WA state 'reinstate' it's fall high school sports.  One of the creators is believed to be UW football recruit Sam Huard, of Kennedy Catholic HS. A highly touted D-1 prospect, he is the son of former UW Quarteback Damon Huard.  Brock Huard, another former UW signal caller and TV analyst, is his uncle.

The petition was created at the beginning of this week.

According to news reports, Inslee's office issued this statement in response to the petition:

"The governor understands the importance of youth sports and the hard work and dedication they require. As with all decisions around COVID-19, very tough choices are made to protect the health of everyone in the state and prevent further spread of the virus. The same principles used when determining how and when to open schools, businesses and activities."

This sounds like the typical ambiguous and condescending response given by Inslee to so many areas, occupations and facets of live affected by his COVID decisions. But the students also plan a march to get his attention further.

To try to encourage the Governor to say "yes" to their request. a student-athlete march is slated for Thursday 4PM at the Capitol Building Olympia, hoping to get his attention even more. Thousands of west side students are expected to participate.

The students pointed out in the petition that nearly 36 states in the US are going ahead with some sort of fall sports program--even if it involves significant safety measures. Why not in WA? They also point out the benefits to youth mental health and physical fitness by playing sports, and that most juvenile crime occurs between 3 and 5:30PM (before parents home from work), sports keep kids occupied.

To see the petition, click on the button below.