TROTWOOD, Ohio — As the Ohio High School Athletics Association announced a plan for a shortened six-game season, one Dayton-area school district is going the opposite route.

What You Need To Know

  • The Trotwood-Madison School District has suspended all fall sports for the first nine weeks of the school year

  • The suspension leaves the football program in limbo and they're unable to defend their state championship from last season

  • Athletic Director Frank Russo said the decision was made with the health and well-being of students in mind

  • The decision could be revisited by the school district’s board of directors, but that is unlikely

The Trotwood-Madison Rams lifted the Division III state championship last season in Canton, and players were hopeful for a chance to defend that title this year.

But now that won’t be happening, as the Trotwood-Madison City School District has suspended athletics for at least the first nine weeks of the season.

Senior quarterback Cooper Stewart reacted to the decision:

“Win the state championship, coming back, and then hearing just today that we’re not going to have a season — it’s crazy,” he said.

Athletic Director Frank Russo explained the decision, saying they’ve decided to pause all athletic activity — not just football — until it's safer for the student-athletes to compete.

“Take a wait and see given the Level 3 we are under in Montgomery County,” Russo said. “And that our leadership will take a look at it once things improve, and down the road, hopefully, we may return to play, but at this point we are suspended for the first nine weeks of the school year.”

Russo says the fluctuating state of the coronavirus pandemic is the reason for the suspension.

“We understand the frustration. We are doing everything that we can to provide the safety and well-being of our students and our coaches. That’s the most important aspect to the conversation at this point.”

For Cooper’s father, Doug Stewart, the news comes as a bit of a surprise, but one they knew was a possibility. But it adds a level of complexity to what will be his son’s senior season. He’s hopeful a season could still be possible.

“We just gotta hope for the best and hopefully, they will get to play and the levels here in, at least our county, can go down enough to where they can rescind that order,” Doug said.

Not only does the uncertainty surrounding athletics cause a cloud of confusion, a new study suggests the cancellation of sports for high school athletes is having negative cognitive effects.

The study by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health concludes that two thirds of high school athletes suffer from symptoms of depression and anxiety after spring shutdowns cancelled athletic competition.

Cooper Stewart acknowledges the news brings instant feelings of sadness. But he plans to use his teammates and coaches as a support system while they try to figure things out. Doug says keeping their spirits lifted is important and gives this advice to parents:

“Keep your kids active,” Doug said. “Keep them busy. Keep in contact with their teammates and their coaches. These are very odd times, but and I think everyone will get through it the best that they can.”

Russo says even though the season is suspended, the student-athletes will remain the athletic department’s top priority. And the schools coaches will lead that effort.

“Trying to keep our students engaged, connected, informed, and we’ll continue to do that as we move forward,” Russo said.  

But for the Stewart family, they’re holding out hope that things can improve.

“It’s hard to believe that, you know, that you might not have a season, or they might not have a season,” Doug said. “But, you know, it really brings that community together, and they really back that football team. So, if they’re able to play in any way shape or form, then the stands will be full again.”