Appeal Made for Central Mountain Volleyball Program to Enter Districts, But Comes Too Late

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Central Mountain girls’ volleyball coach Scott Garman went before the Keystone Central School Board Thursday night and asked the district to allow his Lady Wildcat team to participate in the District 6 postseason tournament. But the request came too late, as the district title game, originally scheduled for next week, had been played on Wednesday.

Garman told the district and the board he wanted to “make you uncomfortable” over the team’s inability to enter the playoffs. He noted the strength of this season’s team and took exception to what he called the district’s “one size fits all” policy relative to the current two-week shutdown of in-class teaching which also ended all extra-curriculars, including athletics. He said he was exploring “all options” to allow the team to play.

His view was supported by Michele Whitney from the Clinton County Watchdog organization. She said she had organized a petition on Thursday and had received 202 signatures.

Superintendent Jacquelyn Martin revealed and explained a district effort to get the team into the playoffs. Originally the district tournament was scheduled for next week and Martin said Central Mountain had asked of District 6 officials if there could be a further delay in the playoff schedule. She said she was told District 6 would wait until this Thursday to hear back from Central Mountain, but local officials learned the district went ahead and staged the district title game on Wednesday (State College defeated Williamsport for the title), taking the issue out of Keystone Central control.

Martin and board members expressed empathy and sympathy for the volleyball team members. Martin later noted that she had become emotional over the issue.