Bunnell has pulled out of the Ansonia Football Challenge scrimmage, event organizer John Coughlin said Friday.
Coughlin said Bunnell principal Dudley Orr called to cancel on Thursday night. Coughlin, the secretary of the Ansonia KO Club, said there was “a little bit of an issue,” which led to Bunnell’s decision, but did not wish to discuss the school’s reasoning.
Update: Sources close to Ansonia’s side said Bunnell’s administration became concerned when it learned alcohol would be served in a tent at the fireman’s barbeque cookoff next on the practice fields next to Jarvis Stadium, where the scrimmages would be held. Though organizers agreed to eliminate the sale of alcohol, Bunnell’s administration went ahead and pulled the team from the event anyway.
“We’re very disappointed,” said Coughlin, 37.
UPDATE (2:26 p.m.): Orr was unavailable for comment at 1:21 p.m. He has yet to return a phone message left by the Connecticut Post.
Bunnell, which is assisted by Ansonia resident and Recreation Director Jeff Coppola, originally moved its Sept. 3 scrimmage with Central up to Saturday take part in the charity event at Ansonia’s Nolan Field complex.
While the scrimmages are being played, food will be sold and a barbeque cooking contest sponsored by the Ansonia fire department held on the practice fields next door.
With Bunnell dropping out, Central also will not attend. West Haven and Ansonia will play their scrimmage as scheduled.
A $5 donation at the door and all other proceeds from the event will go to the Mead School Breakfast Program, the City of Ansonia’s Recreation Department and the Valley YMCA’s youth programs, Coughlin said. A portion will also be given to West Haven’s football program for their participation, he added.
Sean Patrick Bowley
Dudley Orr should at least given the reason why.
Dissapointment to say the least, not only in the game not being played but in the town of Stratford itself.
To much sheltering of kids in society in general.
Maybe they were also afriad of possible smoking of cigarettes in the parking lot to.
Not like it was a college keg party, lets the kids play.
Just puts a black eye on Stratford in my eyes.
Poor decision by the Bunnell administrators and the Stratford Bd of Education.
Feel bad for the team and the coaches. This is not their fault, but they are forced to deal with it.
People need to lighten up.
i dont see what the big deal is here…. its not like they are doing keg stands in the endzone or playing beer pong on the sidelines.. to pull the kids at this point is ridiculous. especially after a compromise was offered. this event had alot of poetential to be an annual thing and it seems like this puts a black cloud over that now