Sussex Community College cancels remainder of football season

Fallout from an altercation after Sussex County Community College’s Oct. 11 overtime loss to Hudson Valley Community College at Skylands Stadium has resulted in the cancellation of the remainder of the Skylanders’ season.

“It was an overtime game, and the teams had some bad blood by the end and they got into it,” SCCC President Cory Homer said. “I don’t know if I would say it was a brawl. The Sussex County sheriffs were there and told me there were no injuries or arrests and nobody left in an ambulance. Everybody walked off the field.”

When the dust cleared, there were player suspensions and the head coach and an assistant coach were let go.

Citing personnel issues, Homer did not disclose why head coach Weldon Braxton, in his first year, was fired. He did say Braxton earned about $15,000 a year in the part-time position.

With an interim coach named in the days following the 37-34 loss that brought the Skylanders’ record to 0-5, members of the administration met with the team and decided not to continue the season.

“Due to a mix of guys not wanting to play due to the team’s record and the fact many had film to be recruited by other programs and didn’t want to risk injury, we were left with only about 35 players [from an original roster of 69] who wanted to finish the season,” Homer explained. “We were going to be down a lot of offensive linemen and, without them, the quarterback and running back protection could have been compromised.”

At the junior college level, players often compete to attract attention from four-year schools, making the junior college athletic experience part of a recruiting process.

“We haven’t cancelled the season and left our players out to dry,” Homer said. “We are still having weight room three days a week, providing academic study halls and assisting with the transfer process.”

Since the season ended early, Sussex is also exploring the possibility of obtaining redshirts for several players to extend their eligibility.

Homer says a committee comprised of returning athletes, the athletic director, himself and others has been set up to hire a new head coach.

“Our goal is to have someone who will choose their own staff in place by winter break,” he said. “We are already receiving applications and started initial interviews.”

Homer said athletic directors from both schools have been in touch to put together after-action reports. Attempts to reach someone in Hudson Valley’s athletic department were unsuccessful, as were attempts seeking comment from Braxton. An open records request sent to the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office was denied, citing the report pertains to a criminal investigation.