Asheville School board affirms support for football
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES
Larry Pless, who is chairman of the Asheville School board of trustees, has issued the following statement on the current state and future of the football program.
The Blues (3-7) forfeited a NCISAA Division II playoff game to Christ School on Nov. 6, citing a lack of depth.
Asheville School could be potentially facing a $500 fine and one-year ban from the NCISAA playoffs, according to the state association's handbook.
NCISAA executive director Homar Ramirez said Thursday that a decision on the Asheville School case could come as soon as next week.
Special thanks to a reader for providing us a copy of the Pless letter:
A Special Message From the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Asheville School’s Football Program
As many of you know, with player safety and well-being top of mind, the Head of School and Athletic Director recently decided to forfeit a post-season football playoff game against Christ School. That decision, although narrowly focused on one game and not the program, has sparked significant conversation and debate within the School community, including on social media. Even USA Today (High School Sports Section) has picked up on the story.
The School and its athletic program are very important to me. A member of the Class of ’71, my first day at the School in September 1968 was also our beloved, one-of-a-kind Coach Bear Bromley’s first day (but somehow I don’t remember him recruiting me for football!). Along with many others I watched with admiration and respect as Coach continued his outstanding football program over the next three plus decades.
Dana and I are parents of two alumni (’09, ’13). Our son David (‘09) was a lineman on the two-win 2008 team. That fall, Dana and I, and many other devoted football parents, travelled around western North Carolina to his games. We saw firsthand how the team fought grittily and with heart against bigger, faster teams. Finally, I have been a Trustee since 2002, and Chair since 2014.
We are always proud of how our teams courageously take the field and show spirit and tenacity, even with odds stacked against them. They represent the School so well. At the same time, I support the administration and its priorities, courageously putting student safety and well-being first. Yes, the School forfeited a playoff game, but no, that does not signal the end of the team.
Football has been an important part of the School’s institutional culture and life for 115 years. During my years on the Board, we have carefully considered issues related to both the athletic program and to football. Today’s Board fully supports the athletic program including the football program. Just this year, the Board undertook a detailed review of its current strategic plan. That strategic review included reaffirmation of the Board’s commitment to a vibrant athletic program.
At the same time, there are some hard realities and constraints that limit how competitive our teams might be over any period, especially in football. The School’s rigorous curriculum and location limit travel to comparable teams. As a small school of 150 boys that cannot recruit athletes under conference rules, we rarely attract young men who expect to play in college. And we have limited dollars available for scholarships which might enhance our School’s appeal to scholar-athletes.
So not surprisingly, Asheville School is not alone among other small schools, especially small boarding schools, in continuing to grapple with how best to maintain a successful and safe football tradition. Yet the School has improved many aspects of its football program and will continue to work hard to do so. One area of significant improvement is concussion safety.
Given the ongoing conversation, this is a grand opportunity for alumni/ae who care to become re-engaged with their School. Any help that you as concerned alumni/ae can give is deeply appreciated. So how can you practically help?
Many of you have already made an important start by showing the School how much you care. I hope that you will continue to voice your opinions, whatever they are, and stay involved with your School.
But there is more that you can do for both your School and its football program. Be there on the sidelines. Help find and direct qualified boys to the School. And while they don’t play football, direct qualified girls too! Get the word out to others who can do the same. Give to the School, and ask others to join you. Call Dan Seiden’s office to discuss how you can support the football program, or other programs, or faculty development, or financial aid, or any other aspect of the School that you hold dear. Attend School gatherings near your city. Rally classmates for reunions. Call a beloved former coach or teacher to express your appreciation.
Our School is one of the leading purposefully small boarding schools in the country. TheBestSchools.org recently ranked Asheville School 7th in the country among boarding schools. Enrollment is near all-time highs. The School’s humanities program is unique and nationally recognized. College admissions in recent years have remained quite strong. Our School has momentum like never before.
Thank you for your important contributions so far. I look forward to your even greater involvement. May this chapter in the School’s long and storied history make the School and its programs ever stronger and better!
Warm regards,
Larry Pless ’71
Chair, Board of Trustees
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES
Larry Pless, who is chairman of the Asheville School board of trustees, has issued the following statement on the current state and future of the football program.
The Blues (3-7) forfeited a NCISAA Division II playoff game to Christ School on Nov. 6, citing a lack of depth.
Asheville School could be potentially facing a $500 fine and one-year ban from the NCISAA playoffs, according to the state association's handbook.
NCISAA executive director Homar Ramirez said Thursday that a decision on the Asheville School case could come as soon as next week.
Special thanks to a reader for providing us a copy of the Pless letter:
A Special Message From the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Asheville School’s Football Program
As many of you know, with player safety and well-being top of mind, the Head of School and Athletic Director recently decided to forfeit a post-season football playoff game against Christ School. That decision, although narrowly focused on one game and not the program, has sparked significant conversation and debate within the School community, including on social media. Even USA Today (High School Sports Section) has picked up on the story.
The School and its athletic program are very important to me. A member of the Class of ’71, my first day at the School in September 1968 was also our beloved, one-of-a-kind Coach Bear Bromley’s first day (but somehow I don’t remember him recruiting me for football!). Along with many others I watched with admiration and respect as Coach continued his outstanding football program over the next three plus decades.
Dana and I are parents of two alumni (’09, ’13). Our son David (‘09) was a lineman on the two-win 2008 team. That fall, Dana and I, and many other devoted football parents, travelled around western North Carolina to his games. We saw firsthand how the team fought grittily and with heart against bigger, faster teams. Finally, I have been a Trustee since 2002, and Chair since 2014.
We are always proud of how our teams courageously take the field and show spirit and tenacity, even with odds stacked against them. They represent the School so well. At the same time, I support the administration and its priorities, courageously putting student safety and well-being first. Yes, the School forfeited a playoff game, but no, that does not signal the end of the team.
Football has been an important part of the School’s institutional culture and life for 115 years. During my years on the Board, we have carefully considered issues related to both the athletic program and to football. Today’s Board fully supports the athletic program including the football program. Just this year, the Board undertook a detailed review of its current strategic plan. That strategic review included reaffirmation of the Board’s commitment to a vibrant athletic program.
At the same time, there are some hard realities and constraints that limit how competitive our teams might be over any period, especially in football. The School’s rigorous curriculum and location limit travel to comparable teams. As a small school of 150 boys that cannot recruit athletes under conference rules, we rarely attract young men who expect to play in college. And we have limited dollars available for scholarships which might enhance our School’s appeal to scholar-athletes.
So not surprisingly, Asheville School is not alone among other small schools, especially small boarding schools, in continuing to grapple with how best to maintain a successful and safe football tradition. Yet the School has improved many aspects of its football program and will continue to work hard to do so. One area of significant improvement is concussion safety.
Given the ongoing conversation, this is a grand opportunity for alumni/ae who care to become re-engaged with their School. Any help that you as concerned alumni/ae can give is deeply appreciated. So how can you practically help?
Many of you have already made an important start by showing the School how much you care. I hope that you will continue to voice your opinions, whatever they are, and stay involved with your School.
But there is more that you can do for both your School and its football program. Be there on the sidelines. Help find and direct qualified boys to the School. And while they don’t play football, direct qualified girls too! Get the word out to others who can do the same. Give to the School, and ask others to join you. Call Dan Seiden’s office to discuss how you can support the football program, or other programs, or faculty development, or financial aid, or any other aspect of the School that you hold dear. Attend School gatherings near your city. Rally classmates for reunions. Call a beloved former coach or teacher to express your appreciation.
Our School is one of the leading purposefully small boarding schools in the country. TheBestSchools.org recently ranked Asheville School 7th in the country among boarding schools. Enrollment is near all-time highs. The School’s humanities program is unique and nationally recognized. College admissions in recent years have remained quite strong. Our School has momentum like never before.
Thank you for your important contributions so far. I look forward to your even greater involvement. May this chapter in the School’s long and storied history make the School and its programs ever stronger and better!
Warm regards,
Larry Pless ’71
Chair, Board of Trustees
