PETITION: LET XAVIER GROSS PLAY

Protect a Student-Athlete’s Right to Finish His Senior Season

To: The School District Board, School Administration, Athletic Department Leadership, and Applicable Athletic Eligibility Officials

OUR DEMAND: FAIRNESS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF XAVIER GROSS’S ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

We, the undersigned parents, students, educators, alumni, community members, and supporters, stand together in support of Xavier Gross, a high school senior who deserves a fair opportunity to complete his education, finish his football career, and experience the culmination of years of dedication as both a student and an athlete.

This is about more than football. It is about fairness, proportional discipline, educational opportunity, student-athlete welfare, and the responsibility of school leadership to ensure that disciplinary decisions do not unnecessarily jeopardize a young person’s future.

Xavier has dedicated four years to his high school football program, contributing to two State Football Championship titles and representing his community through his commitment, hard work, and participation in school athletics. His years of effort cannot be erased by a single incident, and his senior season should not be lost without a fair, transparent, and impartial review of his circumstances.

THE CIRCUMSTANCES DESERVE A FAIR REVIEW

Approximately one week before the events described here, Xavier experienced a medical need at school related to his asthma and needed access to his inhaler. According to his family, they were unable to get the medication to him immediately because of work obligations. His parent gave him permission to briefly return home to retrieve his medication, but formal notification to the school office was unintentionally delayed during a hectic work schedule.

The school subsequently disciplined Xavier for leaving school property without permission. The consequences extended beyond the initial disciplinary action and included his exclusion from Senior Night activities, the removal of his name and posters from the Senior Night program, and the loss of an opportunity to walk with his teammates and family during a milestone moment of his high school career.

We recognize that schools must maintain attendance procedures, student safety standards, and accountability. However, those responsibilities must also be balanced with context, proportionality, student well-being, and the circumstances surrounding a medical need.

A situation involving access to essential medication and parental permission deserves careful consideration, not a response that may have lasting consequences for a student’s educational and athletic experience.

A TRANSFER SHOULD NOT END HIS SENIOR SEASON

In an effort to protect Xavier’s senior-year experience and allow him to continue his education in a different environment, his family made the difficult decision to transfer him to another school.

According to his family, concerns have since arisen regarding communications between the former school’s administration and the new school’s administration and coaching staff that may be affecting his ability to participate in football.

These concerns warrant an immediate, impartial review. No student-athlete should be left without a clear explanation of their eligibility status or a fair process for resolving questions related to a transfer. Any decision affecting Xavier’s ability to compete should be based on applicable athletic association rules, documented facts, and a transparent review—not personal disagreements, assumptions, or informal influence.

Xavier deserves to have his eligibility evaluated fairly and independently, with his educational progress and student-athlete development kept at the center of the process.

WHY THIS MATTERS: HE IS A STUDENT-ATHLETE, NOT JUST AN ATHLETE

Student-athletes are students first. They attend classes, complete assignments, meet academic expectations, develop discipline, learn teamwork, and prepare for life beyond high school. Athletics can provide structure, mentorship, belonging, and opportunities for personal growth.

For a senior, the final season represents years of commitment and memories shared with teammates, coaches, family, and the community. Losing that opportunity can have consequences beyond the scoreboard.

We are not asking schools to abandon their rules or excuse misconduct. We are asking decision-makers to apply those rules fairly, consider the full circumstances, and ensure that disciplinary decisions do not become unnecessarily damaging to a student’s future.

Accountability and compassion can coexist. School policies and student welfare can coexist. Protecting the integrity of athletics and protecting a student’s opportunity to finish his senior season can coexist.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING SCHOOL AND ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP TO DO

We respectfully but firmly call for the following actions:

1. Conduct an immediate and impartial review of Xavier Gross’s transfer and athletic eligibility status, including the circumstances surrounding the original disciplinary action and any subsequent communications affecting his participation.

2. Provide a clear, written explanation of any eligibility restrictions, the specific rules or policies supporting those restrictions, and the process available to challenge or appeal the decision.

3. Ensure that all eligibility decisions are made fairly and consistently under applicable school district and athletic association policies, free from personal bias or inappropriate influence.

4. Restore Xavier’s eligibility as soon as permitted by the applicable rules if the review determines that he meets the requirements to compete at his new school.

5. Recognize the importance of student-athlete welfare by ensuring that medical needs, parental involvement, educational continuity, and proportionality are appropriately considered when reviewing disciplinary circumstances.

6. Protect Xavier’s opportunity to complete his senior year with dignity, including a fair chance to participate in football and continue building the academic, personal, and athletic foundation he has worked toward throughout high school.

OUR COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR FAIRNESS

Xavier Gross has spent four years investing his time, energy, and talent into his education and football program. His contributions to two State Football Championship titles are part of his athletic history, but his value extends far beyond his achievements on the field.

He is a student. He is a son. He is a teammate. He is a young person preparing for the next chapter of his life.

A senior season cannot simply be repeated once it is gone. The opportunity to walk with teammates, compete in a final season, and close this chapter surrounded by family and community is something that deserves to be taken seriously.

We ask school leaders and athletic officials to review this matter promptly, communicate transparently, and give Xavier a fair opportunity to finish what he started.

SIGN THE PETITION. STAND FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES. LET XAVIER GROSS FINISH HIS SENIOR SEASON.

Every signature represents a call for fairness, accountability, and a school environment where rules are upheld without losing sight of the students those rules are meant to serve.

Please sign and share this petition. Let our community show that student-athletes deserve due consideration, fair treatment, and the opportunity to finish their high school careers with dignity.