Double threat.
A Long Island high school star athlete who helped lead his school to a state soccer championship last year was barred from playing two different sports this fall.
Senior Ryan Leary had plans to play for both the Carle Place Frogs’ boys soccer and football teams after he received permission from his coaches, but was denied the opportunity when district officials stepped in, according to Newsday on Wednesday.
Leary brought up the idea of being a double-sport standout with Carle Place head football coach Paul Selhorn before the school year began in September.
“During the summer, I brought it up to coach Selhorn, he said, ‘we’d love to have you. The team would love to have you,” Leary told the outlet.
“Coach Selhorn was ok with it and I talked to athletic director [Justin] Block, ‘this is your decision, you make a decision. If you want to both, you’re allowed to,” the teen said.
Leary began focusing on both varsity sports — prioritizing his role to defend Carle Place’s Class B Boys Soccer State Championship while he filled a slot as wide receiver and kicker on the football team
School officials had different plans.
Carle Place Superintendent Ted Cannone informed Leary during the first week of football practice that the high schooler was not allowed to play for both teams.
Leary decided to play football when he was issued an ultimatum on which sport to choose.
“I said I was going to play football and then hopefully get all sorted out so I can play soccer,” Leary said.
“I was heartbroken,” he said. “It was crazy to me because I was told yes and I’m just told no right out of the blue. It was hard to hear.”
The school district told the Leary family that their son could be a “full-fledged” member of the varsity soccer team or the varsity football team.
A third option was given where Leary could be a “full-fledged” member of the soccer team and still be on the football team, but only if he was the kicker, according to the outlet.
Cannone revealed the school district implemented the rule, citing student safety.
“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 told News12.
NYS Section 8, the governing body for Nassau County public school athletics, including Carle Place, allows student-athletes to compete in two sports during the same season as long as certain practice requirements are met and the student chooses a primary sport in case of scheduling conflicts.
“I’ve been in Nassau County now 40-something years,” Section 8 executive director Patrick Pizzarelli told the outlet. “I’ve never heard of a school denying a kid to play two sports in the same season.”
Leary, who eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for basketball last winter, has decided he will focus his skills entirely on the gridiron for his senior year.
He has scored three touchdowns on 11 receptions for 207 yards as the Frogs began their season 1-1. Carle Place’s soccer team, however, dropped its first four games, and its record sits at 0-3-1.