Greater Patchogue coverage is funded in part by New Village at Patchogue, open-concept rental residences with sleek contemporary design. Click here for a tour.
Patchogue-Medford Schools Superintendent Donna Jones has issued a second letter to the community today — this time addressing a rumor circulating about the district’s recent forfeit of a varsity football game due to vandalism.
Jones clarified in her letter sent out about 6:30 p.m. that, contrary to “unsubstantiated rumors,” team members will not face additional restrictions on participating for other Pat-Med athletic teams this year.
“You may have heard unsubstantiated rumors that members of the Patchogue-Medford High School Varsity Football Team will not be able to participate on winter and spring sports teams,” Jones wrote, emphasizing that the claim is “completely untrue.”
She reiterated that the only consequence for the team’s conduct was the forfeiture of Friday’s game against Sachem, adding, “We have not imposed any limitations on these student-athletes’ ability to try out and play on any of our winter or spring varsity teams.”
Jones’ response aims to quell speculation following her original announcement, in which she addressed the reasons for the forfeiture and expressed disappointment over the team’s lack of accountability regarding the incident.
In her initial statement to the community, Jones announced that Pat-Med’s high school football team would forfeit their last regular season game this Friday evening against Sachem East after alleged vandalism by team members at Lindenhurst School District’s Allegheny Avenue Elementary School on Saturday.
The vandalism, which reportedly occurred in a bathroom accessible to the team during an away game, was only attributed to Patchogue-Medford athletes since no other groups were in the facility at that time, Jones said. She explained that, following the incident, team members were asked individually to identify those responsible, yet no one came forward.
The district’s decision to forfeit Friday’s game came after multiple meetings with players, in which the coaching staff and athletic director gave the players an opportunity to take accountability.
“Sadly, it did not happen,” Jones stated, describing the choice to forfeit as a difficult but necessary step to uphold the district’s values of responsibility and respect. She noted that the district had hoped for accountability, particularly as Friday’s game was scheduled to include a Veterans Recognition Ceremony in partnership with the Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame.
Top photo: Frank D’Agostino Photography
