NEWS UPDATE
Millersburg will hold ‘celebration’ event despite game forfeiture
The Millersburg Area School District will hold a previously scheduled ‘‘celebration’’ event at Indian stadium Friday night, Oct. 11, despite a decision to forfeit a scheduled football game against Susquenita.
The event will be free of charge and begins at 7 p.m.
It also was announced that all events centered around the previously-planned Alumni Band reunion will still be held, including a picnic and the playing of the school alma mater by alumni with the current marching band.
Free T-shirts, sponsored by Mid Penn Bank, will be available to the first 250 spectators in attendance.
‘‘Our first responsibility as educators is the health, safety and welfare of our students. This responsibility also extends to our extracurricular programs,’’ the district said in a statement on its website and Facebook page.
‘‘Due to multiple injuries sustained throughout the season, most recently against Tri-Valley on October 4, we are forfeiting our football game vs. Susquenita High School on Friday, October 11.
‘‘The administration finalized this decision through communications with our coaching staff, board of school directors, and the PIAA. We are unable to safely field a football team for this week’s game against Susquenita,’’ the district stated.
‘‘We will continue to evaluate the status of our players’ health each week to decide if we can safely compete in our remaining football games for the remainder of this season.’’
The previously planned event to ‘‘celebrate’’ Millersburg students will be held as part of the district’s “History in the Making” themed athletic events in 2019.
‘‘The district desires to appreciate this memorable event for the students as well as the Millersburg community,’’ according to the statement.
‘‘Keeping with tradition, the district will be recognizing senior members of the Marching Band, Band Front, Golf, Cross Country, and Football teams and their parents. We will also be recognizing past and present members of football, cheerleading, and band.
‘‘The Marching Band will be presenting their halftime show in its entirety.’’