KSD's final football season ends two games early

From: Danville Advocate, KY - 29 Nov 2002

Kentucky School for the Deaf decided this morning to end its football program effective immediately.

This was to be KSD's final football season, but a lack of players caused KSD coach and athletic director Paul Smiley to pull the plug on the season with two games left on the schedule.

The Colonels (3-3) had only five boys show up for practice Monday in preparation for Wednesday's game at Eminence.

"We are not upset," Smiley said. "We went into this season realizing that at any time we may not be able to continue. I think the boys played great. They had a wonderful experience, but the time to stop is now."

KSD played its final game Sept. 19 in a 36-24 loss to Georgia School for the Deaf at Admiral Stadium. The Colonels' game last week against Beth Haven was forfeited by Beth Haven.

The Colonels had only nine players in uniform for their game with Georgia, and starting quarterback Justin Davis did not return to school this week due to what Smiley termed a "family situation." Second-team quarterback Robert Phillips has an injured leg, and Matt Ellison has moved and is attending the Ohio School for the Deaf.

"This isn't a negative thing," Smiley said. "The time has come and when you don't have enough players, you don't play. The kids stayed together and worked hard, but with the injuries and the children moving, we don't have enough to play."

Copyright © 2002 The Advocate Messenger