Roman Moore has decided not to attend his home school, Ansonia Middle, for sixth grade. He chose instead to go to Engineering Science University Magnet School (ESUMS) in New Haven Public Schools, so he could be challenged in math.
“We’re learning pre-algebra, which is fun for me,” Moore said. “I actually like the engineering happening because I never did that in elementary school.”
Prior to attending ESUMS, Moore spent four years at Ansonia Public Schools where he received several honors and awards. He did well there and his father, Rodney Moore, said they wanted to make sure he continued to be challenged, so they landed at ESUMS.
But school doesn’t have its other greatest love – basketball. The 11-year-old has been playing since he was seven years old, is on a traveling AAU team and says he wants to be an NBA player when he grows up. Like other kids in the state, he went to his home school for sports that his current school does not offer.
After three days of trying, Roman was one of 15 out of 80 kids to earn a spot on the Ansonia team. But a few days later, his coach told him that school officials decided he couldn’t play because he wasn’t attending college. This leaves Roman with no options for intramural play in college.
“I’m very frustrated because he decided he wanted to go to a magnet school that specializes in his interests. Science, engineering, things like that,” Rodney dad said. “And he gets penalized for that.”
Roman said he was sad that the chance to play with his friends at Ansonia was taken away from him.
“I just realized that [Superintendent Joe DiBacco] doesn’t want me to play because I don’t go to school and I did all three tries,” Roman said. “I think I should play.”
Connecticut college sports does not have a specific governing body or rules, which leaves a gray area for intermural sports. The CIAC has guidelines for districts to use for local middle school athletic programs that mirror high school rules.
Middle school guidelines and high school rules state that students can play in their home district if their school does not have their sport.
But there is a difference. The secondary school rules state that “the principal of the CIAC member school in which the athlete would normally enroll has the right to make the decision to accept such students into its athletic programs.” This line, however, is not included in college guidelines.
So now, with no governing body or specific rules for middle schoolers, DiBacco says the district is following high school rules, which allow the principal to deny students the opportunity to play.
This doesn’t sit well with Roman’s father, who thinks the district should follow college guidelines that don’t detail student rejections. He also says it’s not fair to take that chance away from him when his kid was allowed to try out and be part of the team.
“I feel like we didn’t really get a clear explanation. There’s really no policy, there’s no guidance on this,” Rodney said. “From my experience and from some of my counterparts, I know this is not an uncommon practice. He goes to a magnet school, they don’t have a team, so he has to play for his hometown.
DiBacco was unavailable for an interview but explained over the phone that he was considering students who attend Ansonia Middle School. There were 65 children who were to be excluded from the tryouts, and although Roman was among the 15 to make the team, he would fill a spot that would have to be given to a participating student.
In a letter to Roman’s parents, DiBacco said:
“I understand that you do not believe that the administrator has the power to make this decision; the administrator has the ability and I support his decision to advocate for all students. As a superintendent, I find it disheartening when talented students like your son choose to attend a magnet school. I am not happy when students choose schools outside of Ansonia, however, school choice is a family decision and I have no choice but to accept and respect your decision. I know you are not happy with our position, but I hope you can accept and respect our decision. Finally, I hope to see your son return to public schools in Ansonia where he will be accepted with open arms.
The CIAC estimates that about one-third of high school athletes who seek to play in their home district are turned down by local school officials.
NBC Connecticut asked Rodney if it would have made a difference if Roman had been told ahead of time that he couldn’t try out given DiBacco’s position. He said it was hard to answer because Roman had been allowed to try, which he thought should be so.
“Of course I would have been frustrated. I would have been upset and I would have, you know, demanded answers,” Rodney said. “But he went there and he tried.”
Roman gains community support. An online petition has over 4,000 signatures saying the 11-year-old should be allowed to play at Ansonia because he was told he had made the squad.
In light of the situation, New Haven Public Schools athletic director Erik Patchkofsky said in a statement:
“It is unfortunate that student-athlete Roman Moore is not permitted to participate in athletics in his hometown. However, we are more than happy to allow him to participate in college athletics programs in New Haven. CIAC residency rules do not apply to intermediate level sports.
Roman has been offered a spot on Troup School’s multi-school team and his family is considering joining. Rodney said it was difficult because Roman and his Ansonia friends were thrilled to have the chance to play together.
“I’m honored they’re giving him this because he deserves to play. He really does,” Rodney said.
Roman Moore has decided not to attend his home school, Ansonia Middle, for sixth grade. He chose instead to go to Engineering Science University Magnet School (ESUMS) in New Haven Public Schools, so he could be challenged in math.
“We’re learning pre-algebra, which is fun for me,” Moore said. “I actually like the engineering happening because I never did that in elementary school.”
Prior to attending ESUMS, Moore spent four years at Ansonia Public Schools where he received several honors and awards. He did well there and his father, Rodney Moore, said they wanted to make sure he continued to be challenged, so they landed at ESUMS.
But school doesn’t have its other greatest love – basketball. The 11-year-old has been playing since he was seven years old, is on a traveling AAU team and says he wants to be an NBA player when he grows up. Like other kids in the state, he went to his home school for sports that his current school does not offer.
After three days of trying, Roman was one of 15 out of 80 kids to earn a spot on the Ansonia team. But a few days later, his coach told him that school officials decided he couldn’t play because he wasn’t attending college. This leaves Roman with no options for intramural play in college.
“I’m very frustrated because he decided he wanted to go to a magnet school that specializes in his interests. Science, engineering, things like that,” Rodney dad said. “And he gets penalized for that.”
Roman said he was sad that the chance to play with his friends at Ansonia was taken away from him.
“I just realized that [Superintendent Joe DiBacco] doesn’t want me to play because I don’t go to school and I did all three tries,” Roman said. “I think I should play.”
Connecticut college sports does not have a specific governing body or rules, which leaves a gray area for intermural sports. The CIAC has guidelines for districts to use for local middle school athletic programs that mirror high school rules.
Middle school guidelines and high school rules state that students can play in their home district if their school does not have their sport.
But there is a difference. The secondary school rules state that “the principal of the CIAC member school in which the athlete would normally enroll has the right to make the decision to accept such students into its athletic programs.” This line, however, is not included in college guidelines.
So now, with no governing body or specific rules for middle schoolers, DiBacco says the district is following high school rules, which allow the principal to deny students the opportunity to play.
This doesn’t sit well with Roman’s father, who thinks the district should follow college guidelines that don’t detail student rejections. He also says it’s not fair to take that chance away from him when his kid was allowed to try out and be part of the team.
“I feel like we didn’t really get a clear explanation. There’s really no policy, there’s no guidance on this,” Rodney said. “From my experience and from some of my counterparts, I know this is not an uncommon practice. He goes to a magnet school, they don’t have a team, so he has to play for his hometown.
DiBacco was unavailable for an interview but explained over the phone that he was considering students who attend Ansonia Middle School. There were 65 children who were to be excluded from the tryouts, and although Roman was among the 15 to make the team, he would fill a spot that would have to be given to a participating student.
In a letter to Roman’s parents, DiBacco said:
“I understand that you do not believe that the administrator has the power to make this decision; the administrator has the ability and I support his decision to advocate for all students. As a superintendent, I find it disheartening when talented students like your son choose to attend a magnet school. I am not happy when students choose schools outside of Ansonia, however, school choice is a family decision and I have no choice but to accept and respect your decision. I know you are not happy with our position, but I hope you can accept and respect our decision. Finally, I hope to see your son return to public schools in Ansonia where he will be accepted with open arms.
The CIAC estimates that about one-third of high school athletes who seek to play in their home district are turned down by local school officials.
NBC Connecticut asked Rodney if it would have made a difference if Roman had been told ahead of time that he couldn’t try out given DiBacco’s position. He said it was hard to answer because Roman had been allowed to try, which he thought should be so.
“Of course I would have been frustrated. I would have been upset and I would have, you know, demanded answers,” Rodney said. “But he went there and he tried.”
Roman gains community support. An online petition has over 4,000 signatures saying the 11-year-old should be allowed to play at Ansonia because he was told he had made the squad.
In light of the situation, New Haven Public Schools athletic director Erik Patchkofsky said in a statement:
“It is unfortunate that student-athlete Roman Moore is not permitted to participate in athletics in his hometown. However, we are more than happy to allow him to participate in college athletics programs in New Haven. CIAC residency rules do not apply to intermediate level sports.
Roman has been offered a spot on Troup School’s multi-school team and his family is considering joining. Rodney said it was difficult because Roman and his Ansonia friends were thrilled to have the chance to play together.
“I’m honored they’re giving him this because he deserves to play. He really does,” Rodney said.