As many of you are aware there is controversy surrounding the exclusion of Madison West and Greenfield football teams from the WIAA playoff field. A group of concerned players and parents from the West High School football team has continued to seek an explanation and clarity from the WIAA.

After much effort to gain insight to this by following the recommendations to engage MMSD District AD and follow the process, it has become clear that there is not an intention on the part of the WIAA to provide the transparency we are requesting. We remain disenchanted and unsatisfied with the resistance to providing data and an explanation at this juncture. The public stance from the WIAA is that there was no error made, while the explanations communicated to our West and MMSD administrators have been inconsistent (citing computer error, ambiguous language and the power of the WIAA Executive at different points of correspondence).

It seems clear that there is hope on the part of WIAA and MMSD administrators that time will stall the momentum of this inquiry. Despite not being able to impact our participation in the playoffs, we feel there are many reasons this issue needs to be addressed. We have successfully retained an attorney with specific interest in this area and will be pressing the WIAA and MMSD for full disclosure and retribution if appropriate. Solidarity and participation from the entire program would greatly enhance the efforts. I would like to invite you to add your name to the petition. This is not a request for financial support, but rather an opportunity to be involved with the ongoing process of correcting this purposeful error and helping to maintain an even playing field for our student athletes at West High School.