Check out the latest edition of the #NYSPHSAA Captains Club, presented by @NYSCOPBAPR.

Omari Pearson of Passion to Purpose talks to you about finding a mentor during this time of distance learning.

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A note from NFHS:

As the pandemic has persisted over the past few months, we have all experienced the altering of a number of customary life events. We have hoped and worked behind the scenes in an effort to successfully conduct the 2020 National Athletic Directors Conference as scheduled in Tampa, Florida.

Our planning, registration delay announcements, and survey have led us to this time during which a decision must be made for preparation purposes and for the wellbeing of our members. The conclusion has been reached that the 2020 National Athletic Directors Conference will move to a virtual conference. We are currently determining the platform that will bring the educational sessions to you, and working with the Tampa authorities to bring the national conference back to Tampa in the near future.

It is our goal to continue with most all normal conference functions general sessions, workshops, networking sessions, exhibit hall vendors, meetings and Leadership Training courses. We encourage you to regularly reference the conference website to monitor the registration information, schedule and updates. The number of hours presented each day will be adjusted to help accommodate time zones and work days, balancing non-event supervision weekends with afternoon start times, and having many of the 44th NIAAA Annual Meetings surrounding the professional development sessions.

We hope that this unique National Athletic Directors Conference will provide an opportunity for many athletic administrators who have never attended the national conference to be a part and enjoy a taste of the learning, camaraderie, and uplifting experience that it provides. As the registration fee and opening date are determined, it will be done with the effort to reach many new professionals. The sessions of the conference will be recorded and registrants can view portions that they may have missed, or view workshops other than the one attended.

We know that each of you have committed much too reopening schools and education-based athletic programs. Your efforts are met with continual change, challenges and readjustments. However, we also are confident in your skills, your persistence and your dedication to your students in order to provide them with safe opportunities in which to participate.

We look forward to seeing you virtually at the 2020 National Athletic Directors Conference in December.

Dr. Mike Blackburn, CMAA
NIAAA Executive Director

Dr. Karissa Niehoff
NFHS Executive Director

In one year, Deer Park sophomore Emily Franciscovich completed 100 hours of dance classes for her personal development, 100 hours of tennis for physical fitness and 200 hours of community service!

She was highlighted by Team Up 4 Community for her work.

In support of its commitment to high school officials’ education, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has announced two new free courses have been published to the online NFHS Learning Center – “Officiating Soccer: Pre-Game Conference for Officials” and “Officiating Track and Field.”

Designed as a complement to two other soccer officiating courses on the Learning Center, “Officiating Soccer: Pre-Game Conference for Officials” focuses on teaching referees the proper protocols to be carried out ahead of each contest. Key aspects include the importance of advance communication between officials, field inspections, and discussing relevant game-time topics and recent rule changes. Effectively executing the pre-game conference allows each referee to work cohesively with his or her team and be as informed and observant as possible during play.

“The pre-game conference for officials in the game of soccer serves to familiarize the contest officials with the host of responsibilities they have to complete prior to the beginning of the contest,” said Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials and liaison to the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee. “These checks and balances performed by the officials make sure that the field and equipment are safe for the student-athletes, that players are dressed properly and that auxiliary personnel know their responsibilities. In other words, the pre-game conference serves to get the game started on the correct footing.”

To take “Officiating Soccer: Pre-Game Conference for Officials” on the NFHS Learning Center, please visit: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/officiating-soccer-pre-game-conference-for-officials.

Developed in concert with USA Track & Field, “Officiating Track and Field” is constructed to assist officials in presiding over the sport’s diverse collection of events. The course outline contains separate modules for track event and field event officiating responsibilities, and details important guidelines and recommendations for keeping meets running smoothly and safely for competitors, coaches and spectators.

“There is no substitute for actual meet experience or the knowledge of rules, but all officials can benefit from guidance from a mentor and information that assists them in carrying out their responsibilities,” said Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sport and liaison to the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee. “By following the techniques used by some of the most successful track and field officials across the nation, this track and field officiating course can serve as a guide and resource for all individuals officiating track and field interscholastic meets.”

For more information and to access “Officiating Track and Field,” please visit: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/officiating-track-and-field.

Did you know the National Federation of State High School Associations offers free online learning courses? There are more than 35 courses in their online library.

The NFHS is the national leader and advocate for high school athletics as well as fine and performing arts programs.

There are courses for coaches, officials, trainers, security, and much more.

CLICK HERE FOR COURSES AND MORE!

For the 2020-2021 school year, Team Up 4 Community is excited to once again partner with the NYSPHSAA to encourage Youth Athletes to give back to their communities through the NYSPHSAA Community Service Challenge!

Community Service is an integral part of the Interscholastic Athletic experience. Through community service, student-athletes, coaches, and administrators are able to give back to the communities that support them each and every day!

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The NYSPHSAA Captains Club, presented by NYSCOPBA, will have a new look this school year.

Omari Pearson is the founder of Passion to Purpose and he tells you what to expect in the upcoming video series they are happy to be presenting.

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On Tuesday, September 1 Tim Mullins of Bayport-Blue Point (Section XI) began his term as a NYSPHSAA officer in the role of second Vice President.

Mullins has been the Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics at Bayport-Blue Point since 2003.

Prior to that he worked at West Islip School District and has been a member of the Section XI and NYSPHSAA boys’ lacrosse committees since 2006.

He begins an eight-year term as a NYSPHSAA officer (2020-2028) in the role of second Vice President.

“My goal as an officer is to keep the rich tradition of excellence going that has been created by NYSPHSAA,” said Mullins. “Dr. Zayas and his staff have created tremendous opportunities for student-athletes around the state. I want to ensure the association continues to make positive impacts on student–athletes and coaches across this great state. During these unprecedented times I think the importance of athletics has never been so vital. There is no time like the present where our students need an outlet, their teammates and coaches to get back to some sort of normalcy.”

The current NYSPHSAA officers are:

• President – Julie Bergman (Section IV)
• 1^st Vice President – Russell Bartlett (Section VII)
• 2^nd Vice President – Tim Mullins (Section XI)
• Past President – Paul Harrica (Section X)

Section XI is mourning the loss of former longtime official Patricia Habers.

She lived in Kings Park for many years and was a highly rated field hockey official for more than 30 years. She worked other sports as well.

She was inducted to the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.