By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD —Lynnfield High School Athletic Director Mia Muzio has reversed course and will allow the National Anthem to be played and starting lineups to be announced before sporting events.
Muzio stated in a Sept. 3 letter sent to families as well as the Villager that the National Anthem was not played and the starting lineups were not announced before the girls’ soccer team’s Sept. 2 home opener against Newburyport.
Several residents reached out to the Villager on Sept. 2 about the National Anthem not being played and the starting lineups not being announced when the Pioneers’ welcomed the Clippers to town. A similar situation happened at the volleyball team’s home opener.
The residents, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Villager that they were disappointed with Muzio’s decision.
Muzio addressed the controversy in the Sept. 3 letter.
“The purpose of this is to provide information about the playing of the National Anthem and lineups at athletic events,” stated Muzio. “(On Sept. 2) at our opening girls’ soccer game, the playing of the National Anthem and the announcement of team lineups did not occur. This decision caused frustration and disappointment among many students, families and community members. Understanding the concern of the community, the National Anthem will once again be played and starting team lineups will be announced prior to athletic events, when possible, and in accordance with past practice.”
Muzio stated that she and LHS officials “recognize the importance of these moments in bringing our community together and honoring both our student-athletes and our shared values.”
“Moving forward, any significant changes to athletic traditions will be made with input from school and community stakeholders, and will be communicated prior to any change of practice,” stated Muzio. “We appreciate your continued support of our students and athletic programs, and we look forward to cheering on our teams together this season.”
Muzio did not explain why she made the decision not to play the National Anthem or announce starting lineups in the letter.
LHS Principal Patricia Puglisi also addressed Muzio’s decision and subsequent reversal in an email sent to the Villager.
“The decision not to play the National Anthem or announce starting lineups at the recent girls’ soccer game was not a policy change, but rather a shift in practice by the Athletics Department to align with the majority of Cape Ann League schools,” stated Puglisi. “In no way was this change politically motivated or an attempt to take anything away from our athletes. Many LHS sports do not have the opportunity to compete in the stadium. It was an attempt to make the experience for all teams as similar as possible while maintaining the practice of lineups at evening competitions and Senior Nights.”
Puglisi acknowledged that the decision not to play the National Anthem or announce the starting lineups at the girls’ soccer team upset people.
“The change in practice should have been clearly communicated to families,” stated Puglisi. “We recognize that this caused confusion and frustration, particularly on the opening day of the fall season, and we regret the impact it had on families, students and community members who were looking forward to the traditions that typically accompany these events. As soon as the reaction from the community became clear, the Athletic Department reevaluated this shift of practice and issued a statement confirming that the National Anthem and PA announcements will resume prior to athletic events, when possible, and in keeping with longstanding practices.”
Puglisi stated that the high school is going to “look into expanding similar practices for teams that do not have the opportunity to compete in the stadium.”
“Moving forward, any significant changes to athletic event traditions and practices will be made transparently and with input from students, staff, families and community members,” stated Puglisi.