News Summary
Cory Quail has resigned as head coach of Highland football in Cedar Rapids, citing concerns for player safety. With only 13 active players and upcoming game cancellations, the school district is evaluating the football program. Quail remains committed as a physical education teacher, emphasizing the importance of student-athlete well-being. This resignation parallels similar player safety concerns faced by other local schools.
Cedar Rapids – Highland Football Coach Resigns Over Player Safety Concerns
Coach Cory Quail has stepped down as head coach of the Highland football team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, citing player safety as the primary reason for his resignation. He announced his decision via Facebook, emphasizing the need to protect the well-being of his players and advocating for the cancellation of the remainder of the football season.
Quail’s resignation comes amid growing concerns over low participation rates on the team, which currently has only 13 active players following a recent 40-7 loss to Wapello. He expressed particular distress following an incident in which receivers were required to wear lineman jerseys during a game due to the lack of available players. Quail underscored that he would not compromise on player safety for the sake of competition or personal pride, pushing for the school to take decisive action.
In light of Quail’s resignation, Highland has canceled its next two scheduled football games, with player safety cited as the key reason. The district’s Superintendent, Spencer Lueders, stated that an evaluation of the football program is underway to ensure that all students can have a safe experience in athletics. Lueders reiterated the district’s commitment to student safety and acknowledged the resilience of the football players during this challenging period.
Despite the cancellations, several Highland players have stepped up to volunteer at junior high practices, demonstrating their commitment to the program and their younger peers. The district is currently reviewing all available options regarding the future of this season, including the possibility of canceling the season entirely or allowing Highland players to join a team within a neighboring district.
A decision regarding the future of the Highland football season is expected next week. In the meantime, there is no interim coach appointed following Quail’s resignation. The existing coaching staff will manage the daily operations of the team while the district deliberates on the next steps.
Despite stepping down from his coaching role, Quail clarified that he remains dedicated to Highland as a physical education teacher and will continue to work closely with students in strength and conditioning programs. He is committed to ensuring that this unfortunate situation does not overshadow the legacy of the Highland football program.
The challenges faced by Highland are not isolated. Schools such as Siouxland Christian have also terminated their football seasons due to similar problems related to player safety and team participation. As high school football programs across the region grapple with these issues, the emphasis on ensuring the safety and well-being of student-athletes remains at the forefront of discussions among educators and administrators.
With the future of Highland’s football season now uncertain, the community and the school district will be watching closely as developments unfold. The commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of student-athletes is a critical aspect of the decision-making process as the district evaluates its options in the wake of recent events.
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Additional Resources
- The Gazette: Tim Lovell Steps Down as Linn-Mar Football Coach
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- The Gazette: Jeff Gordon Steps Down as Iowa City Liberty Football Coach
- Google Search: High School Football Safety
- The Gazette: Ryan Luehrsmann Resigns as Head Boys Basketball Coach at Cedar Rapids Xavier
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athletics (Sport)
- The Gazette: Kent Allison Steps Down as Football Coach at Lisbon
- Google News: High School Football Resignation
- The Gazette: Morrissey Leaving Prairie for Arizona
- Google Scholar: High School Athlete Safety
- The Gazette: Lewis Resigns as Kennedy Coach Update
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
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