NDHSAA Tables Central Valley Football Request

by Kiersten Cooley, KVRR Reporter
June 19, 2012

Two Central Valley High School football players still don't know if they'll be able to take the field for their senior seasons, as part of a co–op with Hillsboro's varsity team.

 

The co–op between schools is set to begin in 2013, but the pair hopes The North Dakota High School Activities Association will make an exception for this coming fall season.

 

On Tuesday seniors Ethan Proznik and Dusty Schildberger found out their future football careers are still up in the air after the board decided to table the issue.

 

At its meeting in Valley City, the board heard from Central Valley's Athletic Director who won't stop fighting for these players.

 

Proznik and Schildberger have been a part of the program since 6th grade and were members of Central Valley's team, but the school no longer has enough players to fill the field.

 

A co–op with Hillsboro is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2013 because the request was not filed in time for the 2012 season.

 

If the board approves the request, the pair would become players on Hillsboro's varsity team, and the rest of Central Valley's players could join Hillsboro's junior varsity team.

 

But many questioned what this decision could mean for the future of other athletic programs hoping for a similar outcome.

 

After deciding not to approve the request, members voted to table the issue until the state's football committee has a chance to review it and potentially alter the co–op playing bylaws.

 

Central Valley Athletic Director Randy Vigen said, “We hoped they'd make a decision today. Senior year means so much to these players[...] but I think they’ll be happy it wasn’t a no. They still have a chance”

 

The board and football committee have until June 30th to come up with a decision.

 

Football practice begins early August.