Field hockey has been eliminated as a school sport, but this hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a return in the future.
   For six years, field hockey was a WPIAL sport at GS and before that it was a club sport. It was just difficult finding other teams in this area to compete.
   “No local schools had field hockey teams so our team had to travel far to play games,” Athletic Director Miss Lynn Jobe said.
   The field hockey team came up as a big part of two previous school board meetings because a lot of passionate girls showed up to support their team.
   “The meetings were held to discuss if there was enough participation for this year,” Principal Mr. David Zilli said.
   The Lady Lions spread their case in an attempt to convince the school board and were confident that they would bring field hockey back.
   “We had good reasons,” sophomore Holly Taylor said. “I explained how hard it would be to bring (field hockey) back.”
   As the decision was made, the reaction from the girls was not surprising.
   “They were disappointed and rightfully so,” Mr. Zilli said. “The girls felt strongly about their case; however, it didn’t change the reality.”
   Some thought that field hockey was cut due to budget issues but this isn’t true.
   “We didn’t want to cut it but the criterion was just not met,” Zilli said. “There was a lack of participation.”
      Some girls always counted on field hockey because it was the sport they loved and the only one they wanted to play.
   “I’ve played field hockey for seven years,” Taylor said. “I hope they reinstate it next year.”
   For now the girls will have to find another way to play.
   “I know they’ve worked hard,” Associate Principal Mr. Joe Maluchnik said. “I just hope they can find an outlet.”
   It is possible that field hockey will return as a sport to GS, but it will have to wait until next year.
   “We haven’t abandoned field hockey,” Jobe said. “But we need to develop and build in order to bring it back.”

Field Hockey Cut Loose

Donald Chedrick