By Mike Zummo
The Newburgh Enlarged City School District has canceled the remainder of the NFA football program’s season after an investigation into alleged Code of Conduct violations by members of the football team.
The Goldbacks, who earned the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Section 9 Class AA playoffs were originally scheduled to host the No. 3 Middletown Middies on Friday at Academy Field. However, on Nov. 2, Section 9 announced the game was moved to Middletown High School’s Faller Field.
Superintendent Jackielyn Manning Campbell announced the cancellation on Nov. 5 in a letter to the district community. The Goldbacks will forfeit the game, and Middletown will advance to the Section 9 Class AA championship game on Friday at Dietz Stadium in Kingston.
“While I regret this outcome, it is a necessary step to continue as we gather information, support those who have been impacted, and ensure accountability for those involve,” Manning Campbell said.
As part of the preliminary investigation, several unidentified athletes were not allowed to play in the Oct. 25 game against the Kingston Tigers. Despite the absences, the Goldbacks won the game, 32-14, to clinch at least the second seed in the upcoming Section 9 Class AA tournament.
The district also canceled the Goldbacks’ non-league game on Nov. 1 against the Our Lady of Lourdes Warriors.
The school district did not release what the violation was, but several reports indicated it could be hazing related. Manning Campbell said due to the football team’s size, it was crucial to conduct thorough interviews, and she is confident they have identified some people who have been involved and have a better understanding of the timeline of events.
The district has formally engaged law enforcement and will continue to support their investigation, as necessary.
“I recognize that some of our students and families may feel frustrated and believe they are being unfairly penalized for the actions of a few,” Manning Campbell said. “I want to reaffirm that the safety and well-being of all our scholars remain my top priority. The timing of the information received by the district was unfortunate, as it impacted unrelated student activities and led to the cancellation of the athletic season. As the Superintendent, I must ensure that this investigation is thorough and remains free from external influences.”
In addition to the football games, Homecoming Activities such as the Pep Rally and Senior Recognition have been postponed to Nov. 13. The Homecoming dance has been rescheduled for Nov. 14 and the Powderpuff game has been postponed to Nov. 18.
“It is important to clarify, that it has never been my intention to penalize our dedicated scholars, particularly those who consistently uphold our Goldback standards and represent our community positively,” Manning Campbell said. “Further, I recognize the natural desire to know specific details and ask for your respect regarding our student’s privacy as we continue to navigate this challenging situation.”