The Beachwood Athletic Department made the decision on Friday, Feb. 17 to forfeit the girls basketball playoff game against Crestview High School, which was scheduled for the following night.

Given that the game was scheduled to be held less than ten miles from East Palestine, site of the Feb. 3 train derailment that resulted in a fire and release of toxic chemicals, some Beachwood players and their families were uncomfortable with the game being played at that location due to health and safety concerns. 

Girls Basketball Coach Donald Readance and some of the parents heard of the incident and were concerned that the playoff game would take place near the area. 

“Once we realized the location of our opponent in the OHSAA tournament was near where the train derailment occurred, our Athletic Director, Mr. Peters submitted a request to the OHSAA asking to move the location of the game to a safer, neutral location,” Readance said. 

Peters first submitted a request to the Northeast District Board of OHSAA which oversaw Beachwood’s playoff run.

“As a result of the train derailment and reports of toxic hazardous chemicals and environmental concerns, we felt it was in our best interest to either move the game to a neutral site or forfeit the game,” Peters told cleveland 19 news.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) denied the request. 

Peters re-submitted the request, but was rejected again. Then, players, parents, coaches, administrators came together to make the final decision. 

“The final decision was made by our coach and the athletic director; however they made sure to take the parents and players’ opinions into account while deciding whether or not to play,” said freshman Matilde Spaller, a member of the team. 

Readance explained that they planned a team outing and dinner earlier in the week where they weighed the pros and cons of whether to play or not and any potential health concerns. 

Peters and Superintendent Dr. Bob Hardis sent out a survey to parents and students asking whether or not they would be comfortable with playing at Crestwood. 

“We had an overwhelming majority say no,” said Peters. “I would never put our kids into this position where they don’t feel safe.”

Peters also mentioned that the administration also took into consideration other factors including EPA reports from East Palestine.

Ultimately, Beachwood decided not to play the game.

According to cleveland 19 news, the forfeit is the second high school athletic event to be called off due to concerns regarding the train derailment in East Palestine. Bristol High School canceled their girls basketball game at East Palestine high school despite the school having been previously cleared by local, state and federal officials to host athletics and other events. 

“When we made the decision not to play, the game was declared a ‘No Contest’ which is similar to a forfeit but different based on the circumstances that presented themselves in this situation,” Readance said.