Below is an e-mail sent to Cardinal Gibbons parents from Principal Jason Curtis on Tuesday, Apr. 17, 2012.
On Monday, April 16th, an amendment to the bylaws for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association was submitted unexpectedly for vote to the principals of the almost 400 member schools in the association. This amendment would eliminate the three current member Catholic high schools (Cardinal Gibbons, Charlotte Catholic, and Bishop McGuinness) from the NCHSAA. According to the Articles of Incorporation, an amendment may be proposed to the full membership by 6 principals, and must be passed by three-fourths of the membership to take effect. The proposed change would be implemented in the 2013-2014 school year if it passes.
Cardinal Gibbons High School has been an exemplary member of the NCHSAA, and we intend to do everything possible to maintain our membership in the Association. I have been grateful for the assistance and support of our Superintendent, Dr. Fedewa, and the diocesan staff and legal counsel in this process, and have been in communication with the Diocese of Charlotte. Be assured of our continued attention to this important matter, and our commitment to preserving this opportunity for future generations of Catholic high school students.
All press requests are being handled by the Diocese of Raleigh, through Dr. Michael Fedewa, Superintendent for Catholic Education and Formation, and Mr. Frank Morock, Director of Communications. Below, please find our original letter to the principals of NCHSAA member schools attached to the amendment proposal, and the follow-up letter that we co-signed with the principals of Charlotte Catholic and Bishop McGuinness in response to the document filed by Salisbury High School.
I will update our staff and parents with relevant information as the process moves forward. In the meantime, I ask for your prayerful support of our students, coaches, faculty and staff.
Yours in Catholic education,
Jason Curtis
