Carle Place student-athlete says school is forcing him off the field over dual-sport decision
Ryan Leary, a standout athlete and All-State soccer player, says he was told by school officials that he cannot participate in both soccer and football this season, despite initially receiving approval.
More Stories
A Carle Place High School senior says he’s been benched, not for poor performance, but for wanting to play two sports this fall.
Ryan Leary, a standout athlete and All-State soccer player, says he was told by school officials that he cannot participate in both soccer and football this season, despite initially receiving approval. The decision, according to the school district, was made in the name of student safety—but Leary and his family say it’s unfair and poorly handled.
“Now I have to tell the team I’m not playing anymore. And I feel bad,” Leary said.
Last year, Leary helped lead the Carle Place soccer team to a state championship while also serving as the kicker on the school's football team. This fall, he hoped to take on an expanded role, continuing as the football team’s kicker and stepping into a new position as wide receiver, all while playing his final season of high school soccer.
His father, Patrick Leary, believes the school district mishandled the situation.
“It was just terrible communication and really not putting the kids first,” he said. “They prohibited him from doing something instead of celebrating his talent.”
Carle Place School District Superintendent Ted Cannone issued a statement defending the decision.
“The district's thinking is grounded in safety and security for all student-athletes and in fostering equity for all team members… it is inadvisable for a student-athlete to play two high-contact sports in the same season," Cannone wrote.
But the head of Section 8—the governing body for high school athletics in Nassau County—says such a restriction is virtually unheard of.
“I’ve been in Nassau County now 40-something years,” said Patrick Pizzarelli, executive director of Section 8. “I’ve never heard of a school denying a kid to play two sports in the same season.”
According to Section 8 rules, students are allowed to play two sports during the same season, provided they meet certain practice requirements and designate a primary sport to take precedence in the event of scheduling conflicts.
Ironically, Leary had planned for soccer to be his primary sport—yet that’s the team he’s no longer playing on.
“I feel like right now I should be out there,” he said. “I could be out there helping the team win.”
