I Guess That's That.

The last thing I heard about this situation was that some of the players for Archbishop Murphy were going to attend a meeting with the WIAA executive board. The purpose for them attending the meeting was going to try and get an amendment passed so that if a situation like theirs ever takes place again, that team will not have to forfeit their entire season and miss out on a chance to potentially play for the state championship. Whether any of this happened or not I have not heard.



In case anyone wonders what I'm referring to, Terry Ennis passed away September 12, 2007 after a battle with prostate cancer. Given the stature of Ennis and his role on the football team, the events leading up to his passing at very least had a monkey wrench thrown into them. Among the things that were overlooked was the fact that one the players on the team had a physical expire four days before Ennis passed away. As most people can imagine, there were more pressing matters at the time than an expired physical. Regardless, the violation was eventually discovered by the team which led to them immediately reporting it. Upon doing this, they were informed that there entire season would be forfeited. No problem, since that is how one has to formally respond. Archbishop Murphy then appealed to the Cascade Conference and Northwest District so they could formally explain how their coach died, which led to the minor oversight. They responded by saying Ennis should have taken care of this before he died, now go turn in your gear.



As shocking as this response was, the team had one more appeal left. Certainly the 13 member executive board of the WIAA would understand and grant them mercy. All they did was remind them to turn in their gear. Just like that their season was over. Many people weighed in with their opinions about how this was handled. Sports Illustrated even wrote an article about it. I think everyone is trying to figure out such a ridiculous ruling could be made. While everyone was trying to figure that one out, the Archbishop Murphy players were too busy responding with class.



Most people would have assummed that they would have showed up at the first playoff game that was taken from them and done some sort of protest. They went to a playoff game alright. The girls soccer team was in the semifinals, and everyone who was their said no one cheered louder than the Archbishop Murphy football players. All the while not one gripe was heard from the football team. In fact, the impression I got from the articles I've read is that the effort to get the ammendment passed is being done moreso to honor the memory of their coach rather than express bitterness over what happened. Certainly an argument can be made that I am out of line for even implying that bitterness even plays a role, however minor it may be.



From everything I've read about Coach Ennis over the years, this is exactly what he would have wanted. Congratulations, Coach. May the glory you receive in passing inspire all of us to take the high road you travelled.