Athletic director: participation falling; co-ops and waivers needed to sustain teams

Athletic director Michael Cabusio (title given in the packet) told the committee Oct. 22 that declining student enrollment across the region is reducing team rosters and that the district is pursuing cooperative arrangements and eighth-grade waivers to keep programs available.

Cabusio introduced two student-athlete speakers who described how sports teach time management and teamwork. “Being a student athlete is very stressful and time consuming, but at the same time one of the most rewarding experiences you can have,” said Cece Leverell, a senior who plays varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse. Ryan Levesque, a senior and multisport athlete, spoke about balancing academics with athletics and praised coaching staff support.

Cabusio said the district remains a South Coast Conference member and reported shrinking participation across member schools. To preserve opportunities the district is exploring co-op arrangements (already used in gymnastics and boys ice hockey), middle- and high-school waivers for eighth graders, and possible co-ops for swimming. He said the district is the host team for certain co-op ice-hockey arrangements and that swim-team locations are under discussion because local pools in neighboring towns have been closed for repairs.

Committee members asked specifically where swim practices will occur; Cabusio said options are being evaluated and a decision should be known within a week, contingent on co-op approvals and pool availability.

Cabusio praised student-athletes for academic and extracurricular success and said sustaining sub-varsity teams is a priority because participation keeps students engaged through their early teenage years.