It was another successful and memorable year for our Section XI member schools and student-athletes.
We are so proud of their efforts and how they represent our county among the other sections in New York. That’s 60,000 student-athletes, 4,500 coaches, 63 athletic directors, 1,700 officials and 70 athletic trainers marching in the same direction, working together and making things happen for Section XI.
As we close out what’s left of the 2023-2024 academic year, we want to highlight some of the key takeaways of what we achieved as a collective group of athletic administrators, aided by the passion and pride of so many dedicated schools and programs:
*Congratulations to every team, athlete, and coach who participated in championship events throughout the year. We understand how much energy and effort it takes to get that far and to win. Win or lose, the schools that compete at the highest level gave us something to cheer for all season long.
*Thanks to the coaches who serve as role models and mentors for their student-athletes. They may not realize it, but they are impacting the next generation of great coaches who stick around and make a difference in Section XI!
*Thanks to the student-athletes who left it all on the field. Our Section XI staff truly hopes these are some of the most memorable moments in their lives. From the friendships to the lessons learned to the preparation they put in for future careers, to the extra effort they put into their studies, it all counts and will never go unnoticed!
*Thanks to the athletic directors for being community leaders and the rocks their athletic programs need to succeed. It takes a lot of work to ensure the trains are running on time and the passengers reach their destination.
*Thanks to the medical staffers – both in districts and at third-party providers – who care for our student-athletes. They are outstandingly professional as they work hard and smart to ensure everyone is given the care they deserve.
*Thanks to the clerical staff at Section XI and all schools for getting the paperwork, process, and organization done all day and night so that the athletes and teams can have the experiences they do.
*We had another year of opportunities for Section XI Student Leadership, anchored by the work of longtime Center Moriches athletic director Jeremy Thode, who has built a new staple of our organization with the Section XI Leadership Conference.
*A very special thanks to everyone who helped expand the “Section XI For All” United Sports initiative this year. It has been a great thrill to see ALL students have an opportunity to play sports. That’s what this is all about … opportunity, fun, and learning to work well with others.
Have a great summer, stay safe, be active, and we’ll see you for fall sports!