Football teams at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox high schools were unable to play on Friday due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has led to a pause in extracurricular activities at schools serving military families. While classes continue as usual, the shutdown has left students and their families uncertain about the status of sports and other after-school programs. Fort Knox is located in central Kentucky, while Fort Campbell spans the Kentucky-Tennessee border.
The cancellation extends beyond football. The Fort Campbell High girls volleyball team, which had achieved an 11-2 record this season—their best performance in 15 years—had its senior night game called off Thursday. Two additional games may also be canceled if the shutdown persists.
Mary Hughes, coach of the volleyball team, commented on her players’ resilience: “Everyone’s just really sad,” she said. “Life as a military child is hard enough. They deal with so much and sports is one aspect of their lives that is so important to them. Gives them self-esteem, confidence, teamwork. And for that to be taken away just because we live on the post … is just incredibly unfair.”
Bianca Carolina expressed concern over her son Jaeden’s postponed football game at Fort Campbell High and worries about further disruptions if the shutdown continues into future weeks. She noted that her son began practicing for the season back in January.
Fort Campbell’s football match against Trigg County was rescheduled for October 30, according to Trigg County High School athletics director Doug Gloyd.
“It’s very disheartening, but I’m grateful and thankful they were able to reschedule,” Carolina said. “They put a lot of time into football season.” Carolina works at Fort Campbell and is currently furloughed due to the shutdown.
Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell has intervened by writing to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday, requesting that athletics and extracurriculars be allowed during the shutdown period.
Jerry Gilliam, judge-executive in Christian County—which includes part of Fort Campbell—also urged McConnell’s involvement: “These young people already carry unique burdens as sons and daughters of U.S. servicemembers, and this additional barrier only deepens their sacrifice,” Gilliam wrote.
Other military post high schools have been affected as well; Camp Lejeune High School in North Carolina had its football schedule adjusted so its homecoming game could take place before the shutdown began Wednesday.
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), which oversees educational programs from prekindergarten through grade 12 for children of Department of Defense personnel, stated Friday that instructional operations will continue during the government shutdown.
