Saint Raphael Withdraws from RIIL Playoffs due to Coronavirus

The coronavirus situation has caused Saint Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, RI to withdraw all of its athletic teams remaining in state playoff action. A combined boys hockey team and a girls basketball team are involved. The school posted a statement regarding its participation in RIIL sporting events which are now underway:

“We would like to announce that Saint Raphael Academy will voluntarily withdraw from the RIIL Division I girls basketball tournament game against Barrington High School, and the Division II quarter finals boys ice hockey games against South Kingstown (as part of the co-op team with Providence Country Day and Wheeler School), both scheduled for this weekend.

“This was an extremely difficult decision to make, and not one that we took lightly,” according to Dan Richard, principal. This week, the principal has had multiple discussions with RIIL officials and the other high schools in the tournaments before making the decision.

“Taking into consideration the student athletes and coaches involved was of paramount concern. We know how devastating this is to our athletes and coaches who have worked so hard to get to the playoffs,” said Mr. Richard. “We decided it was the best thing to do for all parties involved.”

“While fear is understandable, there has been a lack of understanding of the facts and spreading of misinformation regarding coronavirus. We want to reassure you that the majority of Saints students (all of those who are not under quarantine) do NOT pose a health risk and are not limited in any way in their activities. Only the 130 students currently on self-quarantine are confined to their homes. This has been confirmed repeatedly with the Department of Health,” said Mr. Richard.

By Friday, March 13, the self-quarantined SRA students will have completed time away from the community. Saints will participate in the RIIL cheer competition scheduled for Saturday, March 14, and in the state basketball tournament planned during the same time period.”

The Rhode Island Health Department had cleared Saints athletes to play if they were not self-quarantined. The health department said they were no more risk to the community than any other person. However all Saints teams were pulled from tourney play by the school. In a related matter, the Saints were scheduled to play a girls quarterfinal basketball game vs. Barrington on March 7th at La Salle Academy. However, La Salle said that they would not host the game due to concerns expressed by some of the LaSalle parents and community, according to principal Donald Kavanagh.

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Saints Principal gets cool reception at area restaurant:

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Saints Principal Daniel Richard has been blogging daily to the school community with coronavirus updates. In a March 6th statement, Richard writes: “Last night, my wife and I stopped for dinner at a restaurant that is part of a national chain. As is often the case, I had on my Saints jacket. It didn’t take long before workers and fellow diners started shooting glares our way. When someone did approach me, I politely explained that I was not part of the quarantined group, so I therefore posed no greater risk to them than anyone else. This is a perfect example of the fear that is running through the public.

I will continue to proudly wear my Saints attire, and I will quote former First Lady Michelle Obama: “When they go low, we go high.” In the coming days and weeks, I ask you to remember this mantra because all of us are going to be tested like I was last night. As a faith-based school, we need to remember to treat others respectfully even when we are the target of their misguided comments. Remember the lessons we learn at the Academy and through the church about compassion, composure and the Golden Rule. As Mr. Thibault says, “the mettle of a person’s character is tested during challenging times. Continue to be strong this weekend, and I’ll be back to you on Monday.”