CT School Buildings Closed For School Year

Sorry Warde, of course I have to use a photo of Ludlowe

Schools are not going back to in-person classes for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Distance-learning will continue.  

Governor Ned Lamont officially made the announcement this morning, following announcements from New York and New Jersey over the last few days. It was obviously the correct decision and we knew it was going to happen, but still sad to see it in writing (or in a Tweet). 

Heartbroken for the seniors who won't be able to have a regular end to their senior year with their classmates, teachers and friends and won't be able to have a normal end-of-year experience. Hopefully something is able to be done for them at some point, when safe, to recognize their accomplishments. 

From a sports perspective, the CIAC officially cancelled spring sports following the school announcement. Extremely disappointing for the seniors miss out on their final spring seasons. Memories are made in school, but also in sports. It's not just what happens on the field, it's what happens on the bench, bus rides, team dinners, fundraisers, and so much more. It was unfortunate that winter athletes couldn't finish their season and even more unfortunate that spring athletes can't have a season at all. 

To the Ludlowe baseball seniors, you guys left a remarkable stamp on our program, playing a vital part in the success we had a season ago. So sorry you couldn't have a senior year but thankful for what you did for our program and most importantly getting to know you guys. Sorry you can't go out on your own terms. You are a fantastic group of young men. 

To all the seniors at Ludlowe and Warde, pleasure getting to know you and deal with you. 

Hopefully all the seniors will be able to be recognized in some way.  This is a special class. 

To the Class of 2020, you will go on and to great things in life. We are always here for you. Sorry your high school experience had to end this way. 

 

Appreciation

A quarter century. Wow, I'm old.

Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday today, whether it be through social media, text message, phone call, or in person. It was great to hear from so many people. Some of which I talk toe very day, others who I have not talked to in years. I appreciate every one of them. 

With COVID-19 going on, it was definitely a different birthday. People have a lot bigger issues going on than a "boring" birthday though, so I am in no way complaining. Hoping for the best for everyone who is dealing with issues, whether than be the virus directly, or effects of the virus, or many other things people are dealing with in their life.

Thanks to my bosses, Seth Fry and Todd Parness, along with colleague Phil Simpson for driving by to wish me a happy birthday. Thanks also to their kids who came with them and made signs.

Big thank you to my parents, first and foremost, for everything they do for me everyday and their continued support of all I do. But also for thank you for trying to make this the best birthday possible, under the circumstances. Thanks to my brother for suggesting ice cream cake...It was good!

Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy! Looking forward to things getting back to normal soon!

Corona Free Throw Challenge

There are a bunch a challenges and contests going on right now on social media. It's a way to pass the time and have fun with people while social distancing as we all deal with being isolated during this Coronavirus (COVID_19) outbreak.

I was challenged by former Norwalk HS basketball coach and founder of Triple Double Basketball Training Tom Keyes to the Corona Free Throw Challenge. It's pretty simple, you need to make five basketball foul shots in a row.

Let me rephrase, the rules are simple, and the challenge was simple for some. Not so much for others (ME!)

This was NOT, "one-take Sailer." The "outtakes are not pretty. Luckily, they have been deleted from my phone as I had to free up space. It took me a couple days to get this done. It was fun and got me out of the house for a little while so overall it was a success.

#CoronaFreeThrowChallenge pic.twitter.com/vLcjB9uIw2

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) March 22, 2020

I had multiple people say some of these shots should not count because I "banked" them in. They went in, that's all that matters. I swoosh or a bank all count the same. It jut doesn't look as pretty.

I challenged a few of the Ludlowe basketball players, but I challenge anyone who wants to have some fun. Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

Winter Sports Are Over In CT

"The Z" at Wilton following the FCIAC boys basketball semifinals

On Tuesday morning, history was made in CT HS sports. And it wasn't good. The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC), the governing body of high school sports in CT made the decision to cancel all winter state tournament games due to the Coronavirus.

First off, I am heartbroken for the student-athletes, whose seasons - and for the seniors, careers - come to an end abruptly. These teams work all year, and even after playing in conference tournaments, prepare to play in a state tournament, and can't play. I would rather play a game and lose and the season come to an end, than have the season come to an end like this. It's also about the coaches, and other people involved who have put so much time and effort into the season, just to have it end.

It's about all the teams and all the schools. I know I have certain schools and teams I am closer to, but as someone who works in high school athletics and coaches, it hurts to see any student-athletes deprived of an opportunity to play in a state tournament and play more games in the season.

I understand that the CIAC is trying to be extra-cautious to keep people safe and healthy. In my opinion, and I know a lot of people agree, the games should have been played without spectators. Especially for basketball, but other sports also, you could play a game with approximately 50 people or less in the gym, ice rink, natatorium, etc. You could have a reporter or broadcaster (video or audio only) or just someone Tweeting from each game to provide updates. A lot of schools have NFHS Pixellot cameras installed in their gym and schools could show the games on those, as another option.

The CIAC got a lot of backlash on social media today, from players, coaches, AD's and media. It's a tough call but they are supposed support the athletes and coaches and schools, not hurt them. I love that teams also decided to continue to practice today, despite the fact that the season is over*

These kids sure as hell don’t want it to end #tcc pic.twitter.com/zfEPvuTcHC

— LudloweHoops (@LudloweHoops) March 10, 2020

*There is a petition out there to allow the games to be played with no spectators.  I'll be honest, I don't think there is much of a chance of it happening. We are done with winter sports for 2019-2020.

Oh and the fact that schools are still open (for now) but they cancel the games is interesting. Kids can sit in class and teachers and staff can work and deal with students but athletes can't play games and coaches can't coach their athletes though the end.

We will see what happens with spring sports, as of now they are on as planned.

My Top Local Sports Moments of the Decade

Since a bunch of my list takes place at this place. 

On New Years Eve, I wrote about my top local sports moments of 2019. Now, I will give you my top local sports moments of the decade. I was a freshman in high school in 2010, so I have seen HS sports from the start of the decade.

There are many championship moments in my list.

2010 FCIAC Baseball Championship

May 27, 2010 - Behind 4 1/3 innings of relief pitching from Taylor Brown, Ludlowe defeated Greenwich 7-4 to capture the schools first FCIAC baseball championship. Tom Nagy hit a three-run HR as part of a five-run third inning.

2014 FCIAC Baseball Championship 

May 31, 2014 - Hunter Hewitt dominated the Trumbull hitters as Warde came away with a 4-0 win and the FCIAC Champiosnhip. It was the first FCIAC baseball championship for the Mustangs since the Fairfield High School split.

Here's my blog post with a recap from that game. 

2016 D2 State Hockey Championship 

March 18, 2016 - Jake Fuss scored 1:22 into overtime as the Fairfield Co-Op topped North Branford in win the Division 2 State Championship.

Here's the recap from GameTimeCT from this game. Unfortunately, the recap I did for the Fairfield Sun is no longer online.

2013 D2 State Hockey Championship 

March 20, 2013 - Kevin Robinson scored four goals, including a penalty shot in overtime, as the Fairfield Co-Op defeated East Catholic 4-3.

Here's my recap of this game.

2015 FCIAC Baseball Championship 

May 29, 2015 - JT Morin with the eight-inning complete game as Wilton scored one run in the top of the eighth to defeat Staples and take home the 2015 FCIAC Baseball Championship.




2016 FCIAC Baseball Championship 

May 25, 2016 - Sean O'Malley's walk-off hit led Darien past Trumbull 3-2 in eight innings. It was their first title for the Blue Wave since 1981.





2016 Class LL Baseball Championship 

June 11, 2016 - Trailing by three runs in the sixth, Warde's Giacomo Brancato blasted a three-run HR to left-center field to tie the game at three. However, in the bottom of the seventh, a bases-loaded walk to Max Scheps lifted Amity to their fourth straight state title, 4-3.





2011 Fairfield Prep Holiday Classic

December 30, 2011 - Mike Wright's three-pointer at the buzzer lifts Warde over ND-Fairfield in the Fairfield Prep Holiday Classic Championship.

Here's the CT Post's article on this game.

This is my list of games I was in attendance for. I am sure I missing games and moments I would have liked to include. Let me know your thoughts on my list, or let's here your list!

My Top Local Sports Moments of 2019

So I was debating, do I do a list of top professional/college sports for the year? Do I do that list for the decade? Or do I do a local list of games/moments for the year? Well, I decided that you can get the first two options in many different places and I am around a lot of local sports, so I would do local sports for the year. Maybe I will do another post for the decade in the coming days.

I realize this is likely going to be heavy Fairfield, and specifically Ludlowe based. I also have a feeling Rob Adams' voice is going to appear here a lot, whether it be Robcasting Radio or Local Live.

2019 Fairfield Prep Holiday Classic Championship Game

December 28th - Ludlowe defeated Warde 54-42 to claim the Holiday Tournament Championship for the first time since 2009.

2019 FCIAC Boys Basketball Championship 

Febuary 28th - Ridgefield comes from 14-points down to defeat Danbury and win the 2019 FCIAC boys basketball championship behind 24 points from James St. Pierre.

Here's the final 3:30 of the Ridgefield comeback with Rob Adams and Joel Geriak on the call on Local Live.



The next one hurts, but if I am being fair, it's one of the best games I saw all year.

2019 FCIAC Baseball Championship 

May 22nd - Staples scores two runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Ludlowe and capture the 2019 FCIAC baseball championship. The Wreckers went on to win the state championship as well.

Quick look at the call from @double5 as staples walks off 2-1 over Ludlowe #ctbase pic.twitter.com/ptmyMhRHpf

— Ben -BirdsEyeSports (@BirdsEyeSports) May 23, 2019

We saw a bunch of great little league baseball over the summer with Fairfield American. Lots of great performances from so many people. It was great to be around this team as Rob and I broadcasted all their games though out the summer. There is one moment that stands out to be though.

Carson Dodder's Walk-Off Double

July 9th - Trailing 3-2 with two outs in the 9th, Carson Dodder came up with a clutch two-out, two-run double to lift Fairfield American past Westport 4-3. Video via Stacy Scruggs and audio via Rob Adams.




Ludlowe Baseball Edges Warde - FCIAC Quarterfinals 

May 18th - After dropping an 8-0 regular season decision in the regular season a week earlier, Ludlowe came from behind to defeat Warde 5-4 in nine innings and advance to the FCIAC Semifinals.

Drew Buckley scores the winning run in Ludlowe’s 5-4 quarterfinal victory over Warde. #ctbase pic.twitter.com/ty33YEZ9zJ

— Dave Ruden (@DaveRuden) May 18, 2019

I am sure there are more moments that I am forgetting, but I don't want to be overkill. Again, these are games I was in attendance for, so there are certain great games missing. Feel free to add in any games I am missing in the comments or let me know on social media (Shawn Sailer on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Ludlowe Volleyball is the 2019 FCIAC Champion!

The Ludlowe girls volleyball team won the FCIAC Championship on Saturday. The Falcons defeated Westhill in five sets, winning the final set 15-9. 

It's the third FCIAC Volleyball Championship in school history. The Falcons defeated Darien in 2015 to take home the title. In 2012, they were co-champions with Darien as the final was not played due to Superstorm Sandy and schedule constraints.

Margaret Nolan was named FCIAC Tournament MVP. 

 

The win was the 200th in the career of Head Coach Meghan Skelton. Congrats, Coach! 

You can read more about the game in Dave Stewart's game story in Gametime CT.

Also, vote for them for The Ruden Report Team of the Week!