There are no plans for any additions or subtractions to the sports offered by the athletic program at French Camp Academy, said principal and athletic director Rusty McKnight. In addition to the four spring sports, French Camp fields teams in football, boys and girls cross country and boys and girls basketball. The school had a slow-pitch softball team in the fall, but the sport has been discontinued by MHSAA. There are no current plans to add volleyball to replace softball as a sport for girls in the fall.
French Camp is somewhat unique because about half of the 120 students are boarding students from as far away as Texas. “At a time like this with our kids spread out all over the place, it's hard to maintain a relationship with them. It's a challenge when we are not all together,” McKnight said.
The suspension of classes casts a cloud over the four spring sports -- baseball, softball, tennis and boys and girls track. All events scheduled prior to Apr. 17 are canceled. Whether any of the events will be rescheduled, indeed whether there will be any more athletics this school year, is unknown.
“We have a strong athletic program. We feel good about what we are doing,” said McKnight. “This is obviously a huge blow to everyone.”
But he added “We have to look at the big picture and that is the country's health. That puts it in perspective.”
The most important thing, he said, is for students to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. “That's what makes us different from most places. Having a great education and having a great athletic program is a plus.”
French Camp Academy is a private school, one of handful competing in the Mississippi High School Activities Association, that is following the lead of the state's public schools by suspending classes. Gov. Tate Reeves has issued an executive order closing public schools until at least Apr. 17 and MHSAA has prohibited all activities until then.
“We're closed until at least Apr. 17, like everybody else,” McKnight said. “We are starting the distance learning program for our kids. We hope to continue moving forward for education.”
School president F. Stewart Edwards posted a letter to parents on the school's website. “During these stressful days, French Camp Academy continues to hold true to its mission. French Camp Academy, a Christ-centered home and school, exists to serve young people and families for the glory of God. As a mission driven school, we have a deep sense of responsibility in our partnership with the families whose children attend here. We are working now to create an online academic community which will fulfill our educational obligation to you and your children and continue building our relationship.”
