A high school star has been forced to make a tough decision after being banned from playing two sports.
The teenager has spoken out against the policy, calling it crazy, as reported by the New York Post.
Ryan Leary was banned from being a multi-sport athlete at Carle Place High School[/caption]
Leary wanted to play both football and soccer[/caption]
Ryan Leary is a senior at Carle Place in Long Island, New York.
He went into the 2025 school year with the hopes of playing both football and soccer.
However, he has been denied the opportunity after district officials stepped in.
Before the school year began in September, Leary spoke to the Frogs’ head football coach, Paul Selhorn, about playing both sports.
Leary said, “During the summer, I brought it up to coach Selhorn.
“He said, ‘We’d love to have you. The team would love to have you.’
“Coach Selhorn was ok with it, and I talked to athletic director [Justin] Block.
“He said, ‘This is your decision, you make a decision. If you want to do both, you’re allowed to.’”
Leary began making plans to play both sports, but district officials had other ideas.
The teen was planning on trying to help defend the Class B Boys Soccer State Championship, while also featuring as a wide receiver and kicker on the football team.
However, Superintendent Ted Cannone informed Leary during the first week of football practice that he was not allowed to play for both teams.
Instead, Leary was offered an ultimatum to choose which varsity sport to play.
He selected football.
The high schooler said, “I said I was going to play football and then hopefully get all sorted out so I can play soccer.
“I was heartbroken. It was crazy to me because I was told yes, and I’m just told no right out of the blue. It was hard to hear.”
The district told him that the only way he could be a part of both varsity teams was by dropping his WR role and being solely a kicker for the football team.
Citing student safety, Cannone said, “The district’s thinking is grounded in safety and security for all student-athletes and in fostering equity for all team members.
“It is inadvisable for a student-athlete to play two high-contact sports in the same season.”
New York State Section 8, which oversees Nassau County public school athletics, including Carle Place, permits student-athletes to play two sports in the same season.
But they must meet practice requirements and designate a primary sport to resolve any scheduling conflicts.
