In a world grappling with conflicts in Ukraine and the Mideast, a nation divided over nearly everything, and a town facing crucial decisions on capital expenditures and Saugatuck redevelopment, Staples High School’s Block “S” is not the biggest concern.
Except — when it stands for something bigger, like respect for tradition — it is.
For 70 years, the Block “S” has been the highest award a Staples athlete can earn. Made of metal, mounted on a wooden base, it is handsome, strong, classy.
Lili Tucker’s Block “S” shows a few dings and scars — similar to what an athlete goes through during a sports season.
Each varsity sport gets 2 Block “S”s. The coaching staff awards them at the end of the season. Most teams give one to the Most Valuable Athlete. The other is for Most Improved, Outstanding Service, or some other admirable quality.
Character, integrity, commitment, passion — they all count for a Block “S.”
Athletes cherish their award. Long after they’ve gotten rid of other mementoes — trophies, medals, certificates — they hold on to their Block “S.”
That’s not just me talking. Stories about the Block “S” filled social media the past few days.
The reason: This year, Staples did away with the Block “S.”
Well, not really. Coaches still give them out. But instead of the handsome, strong, classy award, they hand athletes a generic, flimsy, $12.95 plaque that simply says “Block ‘S.”
Without even space for the honoree’s name.
I received an honorary Block “S” when I stepped down as head coach of the boys soccer program. It is one of the most cherished awards I have ever received.
To use a sports analogy: This was an unforced error.
The change was made this fall by Staples athletic director VJ Sarullo — about to embark in his second year in the role — for budgetary reasons.
That’s reasonable. Two Block “S”s, times 40 varsity teams, adds up.
But … the change was made without consultation with coaches, athletes, or anyone else.
It was done without exploring other options, like asking booster clubs, supportive businesses, or anyone else to contribute.
Or finding a supplier who charged less.
All of this would have been limited to complaints, disappointment and hand-wringing on social media. (To read some of the 100+ comments on Facebook’s Westport Front Porch page — including passionate responses from previous awardees, and those who never won it but wish they did — click here.)
Yet at last night’s Board of Education meeting, the topic exploded into public view.
After announcing the appointment of Dr. Anna Mahon to replace retiring assistant superintent for teaching and learning Dr. Anthony Buono, and then accepting gifts to pay for non-budgeted coaches for spring sports, the board was ready to move on to the next agenda item.
However, member Robert Harrington spoke up. Acknowledging the social media firestorm, he asked the board to discuss the topic.
No one seconded his motion.
Member Kevin Christie said that while he loved tradition and athletics, he trusts the suprintendent and staff ot make decisions. “I’m concerned about micro-managing,” he said.
Harrington and chair Lee Goldstein then engaged in an acrimonious back-and-forth.
“This is an embarrassment to 70 years of tradition,” Harrington said.
“We’re in the middle of a $150 million budget,” Goldstein replied, before moving on.
In 2019, Greens Farms Elementary School teacher Stacy Fowle was named Westport’s Teacher of the Year. Proud of her Westport roots, she sent this photo to “06880.” It shows her posing as a Staples soccer player with her Block S.”
Harrington soon took to Westport Front Porch. He wrote:
“I gave the superintendent and full board advance notice that I was going to simply ask for the goard to vote to discuss this at the BOE tonight. I didn’t even get to propose a solution or a recommendation. I simply wanted to have a discussion in front of attendees and members of our community.
“Jill (Dillon) and Dorie (Hordon) were out sick/traveling. The 4 remaining members wouldn’t even second the motion to simply discuss this issue in public.
“They argued it wasn’t in our purview. They didn’t want to micromanage the administration. The chair said she had to think of the whole community, not just the recipients of a ‘trophy.’ The Block ‘S’ award is more than just a trophy for the 70 years of students who received it.
“Three of my kids did. I am embarrassed as a dad and a Board of Ed member that current and future students won’t enjoy the same honor in the way that past student athletes did.
“We can and should do better than ask our community for a better answer. To not even have a simple discussion of this in public at a Board of Education meeting is an embarrassment.”
Athletic director Sarullo has promised to investigate other options.
The ball is now in his court.
(Two years ago, ESPN anchor Dave Lloyd — a 1979 Staples graduate — gave a shoutout to the Wrecker wrestling team. The crowning moment comes at the end, when he proudly shows his Block “S,” from over 45 years ago. Watch the video below.)
