Watching that video, first posted by Zach’s father, even I felt a little off in the stomach. I am not even from Morris, but a kid just sitting there, breathing really hard and then going pale, hits you different. It reminded me of the time my friend also froze up before a match because the coach had done something unfair. So you can imagine how Zach felt at that moment.
The father, Edward Chase, uploaded the video to Facebook on the fifth of December, then said this is what motivates him to fight for his son. In the video, Zack is sitting on the couch and appears to be panting. The moment is too heavy for him.
Last year, it all pretty much started. At the end of the season, the varsity coach told the older JVers that their season was over. There was Zack among them. Days later, that same coach took some younger JV players and promoted them to varsity for the finals.
Now, Zack will be one of those older boys who were at the end of the year on the sidelines in street clothes. Just imagine coming to every practice, and you’re told you can’t even dress. I think anyone would get upset.
When Zack asked why there weren’t enough uniforms, the coach told him there weren’t enough jerseys. Even his father said that excuse makes him very angry whenever he thinks about it.
This year is of utmost importance since it’s Zach’s final high school year. This is literally his last shot at high school basketball. Little did he know that things would get worse, not better.
Zach has autism, and the gym, for him, is his comfort zone. They say he has been playing since fourth grade and never misses practice; I saw a clip of him shooting, and let me tell you, that boy is money when he gets into rhythm.
But during senior tryouts, he would be back at JV by the way the coaches put him. They were told he could get hurt or slow the team down. They never talked about how to support him or how to help him stay on varsity. Nothing.
Edward and his wife, Sara, met with the athletic director and both coaches to get explanations. They were expecting a proper talk, but the whole meeting ended up feeling purposeless. One coach even said he didn’t know why they were sitting there. That would make anyone feel hopeless.
Later, Zack’s sister, Kelsey, posted the entire drama on Facebook, and it soon spread into a blaze across Morris and into other towns. Those who are familiar with Zack have all termed it as unfair treatment. Some are saying it clearly reeks of discrimination.
But then, on a good note, the Binghamton Bulldogs basketball team had someone from their team join the team on one occasion. Their coach, Vincent, welcomed him like family. I actually smiled when I read that because it felt like one good thing, finally, after a lot of challenging stretches.
Edward appended: The Bulldogs said Zack can shoot, so he is on the team now. Sara also thanked them and said the school coaches told him he couldn’t do layups or dabble, but the videos show they weren’t telling the truth at all.
After the support began pouring in, Edward posted again and said, “A lot of parents have messaged me with similar stories.” Thus, he asked everyone to speak out and not keep quiet about it. This is where it all began, with Zack, sure, but it shouldn’t end with Zack.
He added that the New York school system really needs some change because every child has feelings and a future. His words were both strong and sincere. Any parent would feel the same.
Even Morris and people beyond the area began to comment. One comment said Morris Central School should be ashamed because that story goes far beyond their small town. Another ex-student is also disgusted and says that the school should do better. You may also be interested in: Dallas Cowboys WR Ryan Flournoy And His Wife Kalei Have Been Together For Three Years, Sharing Personal And Football Moments Side By Side
