Tom Combs has been selected as the new Executive Director of Section XI. He was selected by the Section XI Executive Board and his tenure will begin on July 1, 2017.
Combs will replace Don Webster, who is retiring from the post he has held since 2014.
“I am extremely excited and honored to be the next Executive Director of Section XI,” said Combs, who has served as the Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health and Health Services of the Patchogue-Medford School District since 2003. “I follow some great individuals who came before me, and I can only hope that I live up to their expectations. Together with our staff, we will continue to make Section XI one of the best high school athletic associations, not only in New York, but in the country.”
Combs, who will retire from his role with Patchogue-Medford at the end of the 2016-2017 school year and step into his new position, has worked collaboratively with Section XI on a number of committees over the years, including the Tournament, Seed, Athletic and Finance committees. He has also previously served as the President of the Suffolk County Athletic Directors Association.
Combs began his career as a physical education teacher and coach in the Gallipolis City School District in Gallipolis, Ohio in 1980. After three years, he moved back home to Long Island and taught and coached in Patchogue-Medford from 1983-1990 before teaching and coaching in the Harborfields Central School District from 1990-2003.
A graduate of Ashland College with a Bachelor’s of Science in physical education and health, Combs attended Stony Brook University for a Master’s of Science in health education, and his professional diploma in school district administration.
A successful football coach for a number of years, Combs is a member of the Harborfields High School Hall of Fame, the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Smithtown School District Athletic Hall of Fame.
As a football coach at Harborfields, Combs won two Rutgers Trophy’s in 1995 and 1996, as well as two Long Island crowns and five county titles.
“Tom brings great leadership to his new role as the Executive Director of Section XI,” said Webster. “His experience, commitment and dedication to the student-athletes, coaches, athletic administrators and fans of Suffolk County will continue to move us forward in our mission of providing positive, enjoyable athletic experiences for all. I wish Tom much success and look forward to working with him over the next few months to assist him in any way possible.”
Combs will be just the sixth person to serve as Executive Director of Section XI since 1966.
Section XI Executive Director Lineage
• W. Homer Ball, 1966-1973
• Joseph J. Barlin, 1973-1982
• Catherine D. Gallagher, 1982 – 2003
• Edward A. Cinelli, 2003 -2014
• Donald F. Webster, 2014 – 2017
• Thomas J. Combs, tenure beings July 1, 2017
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