CONNEAUT LAKE, Pa. – The next step for Farrell to join the WPIAL is now in place, as District 10 voted on Wednesday to recommend to the PIAA that the school be permitted to seek membership in District 7.
The vote passed by a 14-0-1 vote during Wednesday’s District 10 committee meeting.
The next step for Farrell will now be to get approval from both District 7 and the PIAA.
The next District 7 meeting is scheduled for Jan. 16, while the next PIAA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Jan. 24.
“The next step is to petition District 7 and ask if they will accept us, which we will (petition) to them by Friday,” said Farrell Athletic Director Amp Pegues. “We’re kind of in wait and see mode now with the next steps.”
Pegues, who is also the school’s head football coach, cited repeated racial incidents as well as the opportunity for better competition and exposure as some of the biggest reasons they are looking to make the move to the WPIAL.
There have been three documented racial incidents this school year with Farrell involving Jamestown, Lakeview and Slippery Rock.
“For example, I made a statement today that no one on the committee looks like me,” Pegues said. “I just kind of feel like they don’t see some of the views from minorities. Some of the schools weren’t being sanctioned. If nothing happens to them, it’s going to keep happening. When these issues arise, do something about it.”
Pegues noted that joining the WPIAL might not alleviate all of those issues but feels that they (WPIAL) are better equipped to handle those issues when they may arise.
“We had a lot of racial issues in District 10,” he said. “Not saying that’s going to go away, but they (WPIAL) are better equipped to handle them. There are a lot more schools (in the WPIAL) that look like us, that are minority schools so to speak.”
Farrell has a long history with the WPIAL, having been a member from 1944-2005 before leaving to join District 10 beginning in 2006, where they have remained until the present day.
“Some of the biggest benefits will be competition,” Pegues said. “This is nothing new to us. There would be great exposure and competition for all sports.”
