School District announces fall varsity and JV sports will continue

[Site Administrator]

School District announces fall varsity and JV sports will continue
By Desiree Grand
The Mount Vernon City School District will move forward with fall varsity and JV sports and an intramural program for middle school students, ensuring that all students have an opportunity to participate in a sports program. The district remains optimistic about the future of the entire Interscholastic Sports Program.
Thanks to the dedication of many volunteers, students, coaches, community members, parents and school and city officials, the Mount Vernon Educational Foundation has collected $125,451.84 A generous $100,000 pledge from Mount Vernon native Denzel Washington will bring the donation totals to $225,451.84 This amount will allow for varsity sports to begin. Proceeds from two pending fundraisers will provide for junior varsity sports.
In its commitment to provide sports for all students the district has identified funds to ensure all middle school students have an athletic opportunity through a rigorous intramural program.
Based on the fundraising totals, the district is making varsity sports the priority to ensure students who have worked throughout the years may still be eligible for scholarship opportunities. Fall sports include football, volleyball, cross country, swimming, soccer and cheerleading. The district continues to work on options for all of the student athletes.
A total of $950,000 is needed to reinstate the entire sports program at all levels, varsity, junior varsity, freshmen and modified (middle school) sports. To ensure fall sports could take place a benchmark of $300,000 was set to be reached by Aug. 10.
“We have to make tough choices and the priority is to give varsity students the opportunity to play. I know this has implications for junior varsity and other sport levels, but we have to focus on those who are nearest to graduating so they may have an opportunity for athletic scholarships,” Superintendent Sawyer said. “If more funds are received in a timely fashion the district will consider junior varsity, modified and freshmen levels.
The coalition responsible for the fundraising includes members of “Save Our Sports,” a committee formed by Mayor Clinton I. Young and T.E.A.M (Together Everyone Achieves Miracles) Mount Vernon, which includes school district representatives, community members, elected officials and others. The Mount Vernon Educational Foundation Inc, a nonprofit organization, is the lead charity representing the school district to raise funds.