Section VI Looking to Resolve Ken-Ton / BPS Spat Over Cancelled Football Game

On Wednesday Section VI ruled in favor of the Ken-Ton Athletic Department in regards to last Friday’s cancelled football game at Riverside Field.

The Kenmore West Blue Devils were making final preparations for their road game against McKinley before word came down that the two athletic departments; Ken-Ton and the Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) had mutually agreed that the game would be cancelled due to disturbing social media posts.

According to Brett Banker, the Ken-Ton AD, it was brought to his attention by school officials there that parents of cheerleaders and some players were concerned about threats of violence breaking out and distinctly mentioned retaliation from an incident over the summer involving the murder of a Bishop-Timon student-athlete.

But on Saturday morning the BPS sent out a statement saying that the cancellation was one-sided and that interim AD Ryan Shepard was not authorized to cancel a contest. “I had a conversation with Ryan and Ken Stoldt, the football Chairman, late Friday afternoon and they both understood the severity of the situation,” Banker said. “In my conversation with Ryan there was no pushback from BPS.”

Ken Stoldt was supportive of the decision when WNY Athletics contacted him on Friday.

Kenmore West officials were pursuing Monday or Tuesday of this week as a possible date to reschedule but the BPS was not interested and wanted the Blue Devils to take a forfeit.

Ken-Ton put their own statement out on Monday rebuking claims made by the BPS.

Banker who has been the AD in Ken-Ton since ’92 is one of the most well-respected Athletic Directors in the entire State. Currently Banker is the President of the New York State Athletic Administrators Association, where he represents over 700 districts in New York. So the backlash or the rebuke by the BPS is astonishing.

Had the Ken-Ton district sat on the information they received and went through with the game can you imagine the outcry had something unfortunate taken place? It seems like common sense prevailed here.

Now it’s time to move on and play the game, the kids deserve it.

Upon learning the news of today’s decision the BPS filed an appeal that could ultimately cost both schools a game.

It’s unlikely Section VI will charge McKinley with a forfeit even if they lose this appeal. They want to see the game played as much as anybody. So far, the schools have not discussed a new date.

Calls to the BPS athletic department have not been returned.