Tag Archives: featured

Athletic Director's Corner

Mercado on Being an Athletic Administrator

Being the athletic director of a one the largest school districts in the state is truly an honor. Working with over 125 staff members from physical education, health, nurses and athletics there is never a day that goes by where nothing is going on.

I would have never thought that working Monday through Saturday and putting in over 60-hour work weeks would be something I looked forward to every single morning.

The decision to become an athletic director was one that developed over time for me. When I first graduated from Hofstra University with my degree in physical education all I could think about was becoming a physical education teacher and coaching a football program to a Long Island Championship.

It still amazes me how my goals changed year-to-year. I was lucky to work my entire teaching career in the Baldwin School District as an elementary physical education teacher, coach varsity track and field and junior varsity football. I was lucky to work with a lot of great student-athletes and staff while in Baldwin. The most gratifying achievement was watching alumni come back season after season from college and their new careers and seeing how the program was progressing and keeping in contact with me.

After 11 years of being a teacher and coach I realized that I wanted to make an impact on a much larger scale and the only way to do that was through administration. Currently in my third year at Middle Country and my fifth year as an athletic administrator, it is a privilege to work and try to give as many students and athletes the best possible experience on a daily basis. Some of my favorite moments in Middle Country have been hosting events such as National Signing Day and end-of-season ceremonies. Helping student-athletes achieve their goals on and off the field is a daily driving force.

Being an athletic director and working with so many different people, I have learned that in order to accomplish goals it has to be a true team effort. Thankfully I have two assistants and two coordinators that are absolutely sensational at their jobs. They ensure that the day to day tasks run smoothly and efficiently. In addition, my colleagues in Section XI with all of their experience are never more than a phone call away and eager to assist in any questions I may have.

As I look forward to the years to come I hope that I can have a positive influence on student athletes, parents, coaches and teachers in the Middle Country School District and in Section XI.

Joseph Mercado is Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics of the Middle Country School District.

Section XI News

NFHS: Study Indicates Higher Injury Rates for HS Athletes Who Specialize in One Sport

A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and funded by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Foundation revealed that high school athletes who specialize in a single sport sustain lower-extremity injuries at significantly higher rates than athletes who do not specialize in one sport.

CLICK HERE to read the full study!

Section XI News

2016 Fall Suffolk County Champions

It’s been a wild few weeks of playoff action so far.

Here’s a look at fall champions below (as reported by sport chairs; if you do not see a sport or full info, it has not been sent in yet):

Field Hockey

  • Class A: Ward Melville beat Baldwin in Long Island championship (LIC) and lost to Shenendehowa in New York State semifinals.
  • Class B: Miller Place lost to Garden City in LIC
  • Class C: Rocky Point lost to Carle Place in LIC

Girls Soccer

  • Class AA: Northport lost to Massapequa in LIC
  • Class A: Mount Sinai lost to Garden City in LIC
  • Class B: Center Moriches lost to Wheatley in LIC
  • Class C: Port Jefferson won New York State championship

Boys Soccer

  • Class AA: Brentwood lost in LIC
  • Class A: Amityville won LIC and lost in state playoffs
  • Class B: Center Moriches lost in LIC
  • Class C: Pierson/Bridgehampton lost in LIC

Boys Volleyball

  • Class A: Smithtown won LIC, lost in state finals
  • Class B: Eastport-South Manor won New York State championship

Girls Volleyball

  • Class AA: Connetquot won LIC, lost in state final
  • Class B: Kings Park won LIC, lost in state final
  • Class C: Bayport-Blue Point won LIC, finished fourth at states
  • Class D: Shelter Island lost to East Rockaway in LIC

Here’s a brief recap of county champions to this point for team fall sports (click sport name to review full brackets):

Boys Soccer 

  • AA: Brentwood
  • A: Amityville
  • B: Center Moriches
  • C: Pierson/Bridgehampton

Girls Soccer

  • AA: Northport
  • A: Mount Sinai
  • B: Babylon
  • C: Port Jefferson

Field Hockey

  • A: Ward Melville
  • B: Miller Place
  • C: Pierson/Bridgehampton

Boys Volleyball

  • A: Smithtown West
  • B: Eastport-South Manor

Girls Volleyball

  • AA: Connetquot
  • A: Kings Park
  • B: Bayport-Blue Point
  • C: Stony Brook

Girls Tennis

  • Commack

Football

  • Division I: William Floyd
  • Division II: Hills West
  • Division III: East Islip
  • Division IV: Shoreham-Wading River
Section XI News

Suffolk football playoff match-ups set

The final power points are in for the Section XI football playoffs. All seeds are set, but game times and dates are still being determined.

Division I

  • 8. Sachem North at 1. Lindenhurst
  • 7. Bay Shore at 2. William Floyd
  • 6. Northport at 3. Longwood
  • 5. Ward Melville vs. 4. Connetquot

Division II

  • 8. Smithtown East at 1. West Islip
  • 7. Centereach at 2. North Babylon
  • 6. Newfield at 3. Hills West
  • 5. Huntington at 4. Bellport

Division III

  • 8. West Babylon at 1. Sayville
  • 7. Harborfields at 2. Westhampton Beach
  • 6. Comsewogue at 3. East Islip
  • 5. Rocky Point at 4. Kings Park

Division IV

  • 8. Wyandanch at 1. Babylon
  • 7. Hampton Bays at 2. Shoreham-Wading River
  • 6. Port Jefferson at 3. Miller Place
  • 5. Mount Sinai at 4. Elwood/John Glenn

Check the full Section XI football standings!

Check the football brackets page for dates/times!