Kings Park announced its Athletic Hall of Fame class last week for 2020.

The induction ceremony date is still not settled, but may take place in the winter or next spring.

• President – Scott Schuster, Longwood
• Past President – John Valente, Harborfields
• 1st Vice President – Kathy Masterson, Westhampton
• 2nd Vice President – Ryan Cox, Pat Med
• NYSPHSAA male representative – Todd Gulluscio, Shelter Island
• NYSPHSAA female representative – Deb Ferry, HHH
• Superintendent Representative – Jim Polansky, Huntington
• Superintendent Representative – Tim Eagen, Kings Park
• Superintendent Representative – Mike Radday, Westhampton
• Asst. Superintendent Representative – Patti Trombetta, Sachem
• NYSPHSAA Executive Board – Tim Mullins, Bayport/ Blue Point
• At large Representative – Ed Thompson
• At large Representatives – Erin Blaney
• Consultant – Nick DeCiles
• Counsel – Kevin Seamen
• Treasurer – Larry Light

The NFHS SMAC would like to provide you with the following updates as each state association continues to face new challenges on a daily basis.

Recognizing that uncertainty has been the only constant over the past five months, the information provided below is subject to change.

Please read the following note from NYSPHSAA Executive Director, Dr. Robert Zayas:

Southampton coach Brian Tenety has made a commitment to Special Olympics student-athletes.

His impact has been felt in his school community and beyond and was highlighted by SpecialOlympics.org.

CLICK to read full story!

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its annual summer meeting of the Central Committee on July 29 via video teleconference. The primary focus of the meeting is to vote on proposals and introduce discussion items pertaining to interscholastic athletics.

The Central Committee approved the expansion of the NYSPHSAA Coaches and Officials Appreciation Days to three times per year to include all three sport seasons (page 59 of the agenda). The Albany Capital Center was approved to host the Boys Volleyball Championships from 2021-23 and the Cool Insuring Arena to host the Girls Volleyball Championships from 2021-23.

The Committee approved utilizing 13 weight classes in the sport or wrestling as a two-year pilot beginning in the 2020-21 school year. The sport of field hockey had a proposal approved to allow the game clock to run when a five-goal differential is reached. A waiver for the nights rest rule and maximum number of contests for JV football players was approved (page 78-80 of the agenda). New baseball pitch count restrictions were approved for the 2021 season (page 113-14 of the agenda).

The sport of boys ice hockey received approval to adopt 17-minute periods with adjusted penalty times beginning in the 2020-21 season. Boys ice hockey was also granted approval to use a two-referee, one lineman officiating system in all regional and state final four games. In the sport of indoor track and field, only one relay team per school will be allowed at the State Championships.

Section X was awarded the Stay in the Game trophy for having the highest percentage of schools (75%) to not have any disqualifications by a player or coach at any level the 2019-20 school year.

The complete Central Committee agenda can be found here.

The meeting concluded with the passing of the gavel from outgoing NYSPHSAA President Paul Harrica (Section X) to incoming President Julie Bergman (Section IV). Harrica now transitions to the role of Past President for two years and Tim Mullins (Section XI) officially joins the NYSPHSAA officers as the second vice president. We would like to thank Past President Jim Osborne (Section IX) for his eight years of service as a NYSPHSAA officer. The 2021 Central Committee meeting will take place July 27-28, 2021 at the World Resort Catskills in Monticello.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announces the members of the 2020-21 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). This year, 11 new members will join the SAAC, teaming with the 11 returning members who served as juniors last year. The SAAC is comprised of two student-athlete representatives from each of the 11 sections in New York State.

This year’s representatives from Section XI are Carlie Cutinella from Shoreham-Wading River and Benjamin Glazebnik from Half Hollow Hills East.

During the 2019-20 school year, the committee continued to promote the NYSPHSAA Mental Health Awareness Week and focused additional efforts on student-athletes mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SAAC also provided input in the expansion of NYSPHSAA Coaches Appreciation Day and Officials Appreciation Day. Members also presented a statement against teen vaping to the NYSPHSAA Safety Committee which will be discussed further this fall.  This year the committee will continue to promote the mental health initiative. In addition, the SAAC will continue to provide feedback on Executive and Central Committee proposals.  A total of 95 student-athletes applied to be members of this year’s SAAC.

“It’s always exciting to welcome the new members and the returning members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee”, said Dr. Robert Zayas NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “Hearing from students directly about issues they face and using their input to try and help bridge the gap between students and adults is key to our associations growth. We congratulate the members of the SAAC on their selection to this committee and look forward to their ideas and contributions during the upcoming school year.”

The SAAC will meet four times via videoconference during the school year. The first meeting will take place Sunday, September 20.