D.O.E. Says Interscholastic Sports Will Resume On Monday, But Students Will Need To Show Proof Of Insurance

ST. THOMAS — Students of the St. Croix Educational Complex had already begun making their way to the Superior Court in protest on Friday. They were to be joined by students from the St. Croix Central High School, but before they could complete their action — triggered out of frustration that interscholastic sports had been halted — they were stopped by police officers, who moved on behalf of the St. Croix Educational Complex administration, according to a student who participated in the protest.

Meanwhile, at least one lawmaker, Kurt Vialet, said he was in discussions with Department of Education Commissioner Sharon McCollum, expressing his displeasure with the halting of the games — a source of pride for students territory-wide — based on an injury that occurred in St. Thomas during a football match.

For at least one student, the continuation of the games was a critical component to her college ambitions.

“The Department of Education made the difficult but necessary decision on Friday, Oct. 7 to temporarily suspend interscholastic sports played at the territory’s public schools during the fall months until a more suitable medical insurance for student-athletes could be identified,” reads a statement issued by Cynthia Graham, D.O.E.’s director of public relations and communications late Wednesday.

But some vented that one injury in St. Thomas should not shutdown games being played in St. Croix.

With pressure mounting, D.O.E. on Friday issued a followup statement from Ms. McCollum, making known that games would resume on Monday, however all students would need to provide proof of insurance coverage.

She said D.O.E.’s policy regarding athletics requires accident insurance for all student athletes. She said if a parent is covered by Cigna, the insurance company used by the Government of the Virgin Islands, private insurance or coverage through the Medical Assistant Program, D.O.E. would accept these policies.

If there is no insurance, however, D.O.E. says it will require insurance through PGU Insurance Services for the St. Thomas-St. John district, and Atlantic Southern Insurance for the St. Croix district.

Additionally, parents/guardians are required to sign the required registration and consent documents, according to D.O.E.

Feature Image: Nia Jack, a track and field athlete who recently graduated from the St. Croix Educational Complex. Her story is here.