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Pelham Athletes Play For Out of State Schools

PELHAM, N.Y. – Some Pelham youths have relocated to out-of-state prep schools and boarding schools to play sports. Two young men have used that method to pursue their interests in hockey and football.

Gus Harms, an 18-year-old Pelham native, attended Pelham High School until his sophomore year but now attends the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Mass. The soon-to-be senior, who is a defenseman on the school's hockey team, said that the experience has been liberating but a bit strange.

"It's pretty weird being on your own and living alone," Harms said. "It's freedom, but having to start over and make new friends. Hockey helps with that."

Pelham native Andrew Fabiano has been training throughout the summer to increase his playing time on the football team at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Ct. He and Harms have trained with Integrity Fitness owner Robert Corbellini.

But sports may not be the only reason for these types of moves. Ed Witz, who works at the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon and coaches the Pelham High School hockey team, said that other factors such as academics, social situations, legacies and fast tracks to certain colleges can all play a role in local students' transferring out of state.

"It's much too much to do strictly for sports," Witz said. "I don't know if people are picking up and leaving based on one thing, just for sports."

Witz said that while sports is rarely the main reason for such an important move, it is a factor in the decision.

"There are certain sports that draw people to prep school," Witz said. "Hockey seems to be one. There's a bit of a quicker track from prep school sometimes."

Witz said his daughter went to a prep school, but benefits other than sports that the school offered affected the family's decision.

The coach said that some of his players have transferred in the past, but it has not been a detriment to the team.

"We've had our share over the years, but nothing that's unusual," Witz said.

What do you think about Pelham athletes transferring to our of state schools? Do you have a child who has done the same? Comment below, on our Facebook page or Twitter @DailyPelham.

Contact Pelham reporter Andrew Meola at ameola@thedailypelham.com.

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