Coaches,

            This month the NJSIAA is proposing the move of the Cross Country State Championships to Thompson Park .  The reasoning of the NJSIAA is two fold.  One reason stated is that the move to Thompson Park is necessary because of the desire of Holmdel Park to not have the state championships at Holmdel Park .   A number of people have spoken to the people at the park and that is not the case.  They are happy to have us there.  There are some difficulties in parking but they are minor compared to the history of the park.  The second reason is that the move to Holmdel Park would facilitate more teams being able to run in the New Jersey State Meet of Champions.  While this second statement is true, it is unnecessary.  There are already 20 teams that qualify for the Meet of Champions.   This meet is large enough already and the expansion of the field would only water down the meet and not add to its luster.

            The bottom line is that the history and Holmdel Park needs to be preserved.  The great runners from the state of New Jersey have had their day at Holmdel and so should the future harriers of our state.  Please ask your AD to vote against the proposal to move the New Jersey State Championships from Holmdel Park .

                                                                                                            Thank you.

                                                                                                            Chris Callinan

                                                                                                            SJTCA President