Westmont/Heights

[Hamptons]

What's the story with the Westmont and Cambria Heights game getting cancelled 30 minutes before kickoff? Heights team, band, cheerleaders, and fans were all there! Ferndale played, as well as St. Francis, and the Forest Hills Cross-Country Invitational Meet was held! A bit of over-reaction?

[Coachcal]

I will answer that question directly. After consulting with many agencies including the staff at Cambria County 911, a decision was made to move the game to Monday. Many weather warnings were issued, including a warning of 70 mph wind gusts associated with thunderstorms. I will always error on the side of caution when the safety of my athletes, students, and community. All it would take would be 1 weather related incident to bring out those who would rightly say "why with all those warnings would you play this game". With over 25 years in emergency service, I made the decision. Like it or not I stand by it. I would rather be safe than sorry. Hamptons, Im not sure wether your job puts you in charge of large groups of people, but would like to think you would make a decision based on safety a priority. Too many "what ifs" to be considered, but with the warnings extending until 4:00, I made the decision I felt necessary.

[sydfinch]

Everyone agrees erring on the side of safety is the right thing to do but you have re-written history here. I followed Cambria 911 and NWS all day, warnings all expired or were canceled prior to 1 p.m. Weather radar clearly showed all storms through Cambria County by 12:30 p.m. There was no warning extending to 4 p.m. It was canceled. None of those other games would have been played if that were the case. Canceling for safety's sake should have done at 10 a.m. when there was plenty of warning about potentially severe weather. Once an opponent has arrived (especially one that have traveled 30 miles), you have to make every effort to play the game. In this case, simply following the protocol of the previous evening -- delaying the kickoff and asking the teams and fans to vacate the field -- would have allowed time to re-evaluate the situation and make the proper decision, which was obviously done at the other games that were played.

[Coachcal]

I stated my reasons. I'm not sure how you monitored 911, but I was in direct phone contact getting updates. My first warning was received at 10:45, and the last minutes before we cancelled. Once again you can feel free to make your comments based on your extensive knowledge of weathers and warnings, but the ultimate responsibility and consequences lie with me, and I made the decision.

[reugenev]

Totally agree Syd! Why in the world would Westmont AD have Heights drive the whole way to Westmont with 5 bus loads of kids only to cancel the game as soon as they got there! If he was so worried about the impending severe weather, he sent the Heights buses home in what would have been the height of the storm. He could have delayed the kickoff for an hour or so to get an indication of the path of the storm. The students could then have waited in the safety of the Westmont Hilltop middle school rather than hop back on the buses! Totally mishandled!

[Bigtopper]

Have to agree, I left home around12:40 and it was barely raining. I actually put the umbrella down when I passed the police station. When I got to the field I saw everyone walking the wrong way! By the time I got back home the sun was starting to break through the clouds. Probably should have waited 30 minutes. I'm sure coach Cal had the best interest of the student athletes in mind so I won't be too harsh on him.

[Coachcal]

Thanks topper. Hindsight is 20/20. We made the decision we felt best in consult with the district, game officials, and myself. I knew taking this job I would be in the crosshairs of public disdain and "bleachercoaching" for many of the decisions I have to make. I will continue to make them based on my best judgement...until anyone else steps up to take this position.

[Bigtopper]

I'm sure you have a lot on your plate. Better to pay the refs for coming and reimburse CH for travel than jeopardize someone's life. I'm kind of surprised you didn't move it to a night game at the point so more could attend?

[reugenev]

Classy move by Westy to reimburse Heights for travel! Nice gesture after having them travel without stepping off the bus!

[Coachcal]

We looked at night game possibilities but would not work. Trojan stadium in use for soccer.