Carle Place High School tells star Ryan Leary he can't play both football and soccer, citing safety concerns

Carle Place High School athlete Ryan Leary was forced to make a difficult choice this season.

Last fall, Leary played varsity soccer and was the kicker for the varsity football team. He planned to play both sports again this year, and even asked football coach Paul Selhorn if he could expand his role and play wide receiver as well. Selhorn was all for the idea, Leary said.

But Leary’s hopes were dashed on Aug. 21 when Selhorn informed Leary he couldn’t play for both teams if he wanted to play wide receiver. Leary said he asked Selhorn why and was told it was a decision that came from district superintendent Dr. Ted Cannone.

“I was heartbroken,” Leary said. “I was told yes, that this is something I could do. Section VIII doesn’t forbid it, the state doesn’t forbid it. Then to turn around and get told no, I was shocked.”

Cannone said in a statement to Newsday that his foremost concern is the safety of all student-athletes.

“The district’s thinking is grounded in safety and security for all student-athletes and in fostering equity for all team members,” Cannone said via email. “We have spoken with numerous other districts and leaders in varsity athletics, the great majority of whom are aligned with our thinking that it is inadvisable for a student-athlete to play two high-contact sports in the same season.”

Forced to choose, Leary picked football and playing wide receiver.

“I felt like I would be letting the [football] team down,” Leary said. “I’ve been telling the guys all summer that I would be playing with them, hopefully helping them win, so I felt like I couldn’t turn around and take that back.”

Leary, 16, is also a standout for the varsity basketball and track and field teams. Leary has been playing soccer since he was 4 and has been on the varsity team since the eighth grade. He scored 17 goals and helped lead the Frogs to a Class B state title last season.

The school’s ruling does not sit well with Leary or his parents, Patrick and Karin Leary, especially since he played both sports last fall and would like to help the soccer team defend its state championship.

“It’s sad for me, especially as a mom, that he’s missing out on something that could be so special,” Karin Leary said.

Pat Pizzarelli, the executive director of Section VIII — the governing body of scholastic sports in Nassau County — said there is no policy that would restrict Leary from playing both football and soccer.

“Section VIII does allow dual-sport participation in the same season,” Pizzarelli said. “I did speak to [the administration] and told them as a county, we do allow it.”

But Pizzarelli added that individual schools can implement their own policies on the matter.

Dual messages

Patrick Leary said the district’s mixed messages have been the most frustrating part of this situation.

“[Carle Place athletic director Justin Block] told me that he is 100% behind student-athletes,” Patrick Leary said. “He said whatever Ryan wants to do, he would support it. He echoed those same sentiments to Ryan. Then, about a week later, he said it’s forbidden.”

Block, Selhorn and soccer coach Conor Reardon all declined to comment for this story.

In search of answers, Patrick and Karin Leary attended two school board meetings, first on Aug. 21 and then on Sept. 4. They expressed their frustration during the public comments portion of the meeting, and the board responded that it would discuss the matter internally.

They also sent a letter to the district in the hope of getting the ruling overturned. Cannone responded in a letter dated Sept. 8, which was obtained by Newsday, writing that the board was sticking with its decision.

“We have talked to lawyers, but I don’t want it to get there,” Patrick Leary said. “We just want [Ryan] to be happy. We want him to play.”

Getting a kick out of it

Football began as a pastime when Ryan joined the team last season. He prioritized soccer and never missed a practice, meeting or game. During his free time, he would head over to the football field and kick for the team. Ryan said he loved being part of the team but was still itching to do more.

“There was a big moment for me last year when we beat Malverne, 40-0, in a huge upset,” Ryan Leary said. “I realized I didn’t want to just kick and go back to the sideline. I want to be on the field. I want to be part of it.”

Ryan made his debut at wide receiver in Carle Place’s season-opening loss to Cold Spring Harbor earlier this month. He had six receptions — including two touchdowns — for 106 yards.

“There was a soccer game the next morning, and Ryan woke up and said, ‘I could play another game right now,’ ” Karin Leary said. “His body was fine because he did what he had to do when he got home. He’s prepared for this. He’s a different type of athlete.”

Leary caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in the team’s second game, a 12-6 victory against West Hempstead on Sept. 12. The football team is 1-1 and the soccer team was 1-3-1, as of Wednesday.

The Leary family is still hoping the district changes its mind while they consider their options.

As for what it would mean to see Ryan get back on the pitch?

“He should be there,” Karin Leary said. “He deserves it.”

“I would probably cry,” Patrick Leary added. “In a world where everybody is trying to do less, Ryan is only asking to do more.”