Leading off today: Sanctions handed down against the Skaneateles varsity football team last week were upheld Tuesday morning in New York State Supreme Court.
Justice Brian DeJoseph rendered his decision and denied a request for a preliminary injunction after a morning hearing in Syracuse. DeJoseph had issued a stay last week that allowed Skaneateles to play in the Section 3 Class C semifinals after the Section 3 Athletic Council had banished the Lakers from the playoffs after a finding of recruiting violations.
Noting that the district's own investigation cited five infractions, DeJoseph determined that Skaneateles had little likelihood of success in a full legal challenge and that the stay should be lifted.
Skaneateles' 46-27 victory over Utica Notre Dame has been voided, and The Post-Standard reported that Section 3 Executive Director John Rathbun said he would offer Notre Dame officials the opportunity to continue their season. If Notre Dame declines to play on Saturday at 11 a.m., Herkimer would be crowned sectional champion and advance to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association quarterfinals.
Notre Dame coach Byron Abraham of Notre Dame had said over the weekend that he was not interested in continuing the season after having lost in the playoffs, but he was enthusiastic when contacted by the newspaper on Tuesday.
"Oh my God, that means we’re going to be playing again?," he told the paper. "Oh my God. I’ve got to have practice tonight."
Skaneateles (9-0) is ranked third in Class C by the New York State Sportswriters Association.
A lawyer for the Skaneateles district said the school superintendent would discuss the ruling with the school board to decide whether to seek to continue the cases in New York State Appellate Court, which could potentially lead to another stay.
