Dear Catholic Central Families, Alumni, and Friends,

Today, the Kent County Circuit Court denied a preliminary injunction brought by one of our senior players. With this decision, the 2026 Catholic Central football season has come to an end.

We respect the Court and its decision. We are grateful to the senior player for standing up for himself and his teammates, and we are grateful to everyone who carried hope with our team over these past ten days.

Although the Court concluded that the legal standard for an injunction was not met, its written opinion spoke directly to the fairness of our position:

“If one considers only the facts of this case, fundamental fairness and the interests of justice appear firmly on Plaintiff and Catholic Central’s side. There is no evidence that Catholic Central recruited the student or allowed him to play knowing of his ineligibility.”

We still respectfully disagree with the MHSAA’s decision and with how the process unfolded. Catholic Central followed every determination the MHSAA made, at every step. We believe a team should not lose its season for relying on those determinations. We will continue to say so as we pursue our appeal through the official MHSAA channels, so that no future team faces what ours has.

To our players and coaches: we grieve with you. You earned your place at the top of your division, and no ruling changes what you built together. Through every twist in this process, you have shown character, fortitude, and loyalty to one another that represent the very best of Catholic Central.

We are deeply grateful that our team had the ability to take the field for one final game on November 3. We were aware it might be our last game of the season, and knowing that made the night special. Our seniors played under the lights one more time, the band entertained us, cheerleaders led school spirit, our families filled the stands, volunteers stepped forward, alumni returned, and our whole community came together to celebrate the school we love.

That night was a gift, and we received it as one. There was healing in it, and a holiness to it. It helped us see more clearly the blessings we too often take for granted, and it gave us the chance to be fully present with one another. Many people will carry those memories for a long time. We thank the Comstock Park community for sharing that evening with us.

As a community of faith, we trust that God is at work in ways we cannot see. Though today’s ruling stings, our faith teaches us that suffering, carried well, is never wasted. United to Christ’s own on the cross, it purifies our love, deepens our dependence on God, and can be offered for others. This ruling, in all its disappointment, invites us to rise above ourselves with the help of God.

Our young men on the team have already shown us how. Let us follow them, with gratitude for all they have given us.

In Christ’s peace,

Greg Deja

President

Abby Kanitz '02

Principal

Mike Jacob '03

Athletic Director

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