There is a full heat alert across Section XI on Wednesday, September 6. No practices or games are permitted in any sport. Stay safe and stay cool.

Wishing all of our Section XI student-athletes, parents, coaches, medical professionals, trainers, administrators, support staffers, and everyone else who makes a difference in students’ lives a wonderful first week back to school!

We’ll see you on the fields, courts and tracks and at competitions real soon.

Student-athletes across Section XI participated in an Ambassadors of Compassion event held in East Islip last week.

In total,18 schools and 1,600 students were represented at the three-hour workshop to develop skills to navigate life’s challenges.

Throughout the school year, 23 schools county-wide will host similar events.

From Ambassadors: The Ambassadors program is designed to help youth define who they are and where they are going. Students will gain greater confidence in their strengths and abilities while, at the same time, enhancing their lives by giving them a new sense of purpose and belonging.  The program guides youth through the importance of taking responsibility and initiative. Students learn to identify and evaluate the various influences in their lives as they learn to forgive and release hurt.  As a result, students learn to overcome negative experiences and disappointments and build a stronger perception of self-worth.

Learn more: AmbassadorsofCompassion.com

The NYSPHSAA proudly announced Section XI’s Shelter Island School as a 2022-2023 Sportsmanship Promotion program winner. 

The award is presented to schools that have developed proactive approaches to keeping sportsmanship at the forefront with their students, coaches, spectators, and communities. A total of 263 schools submitted the Sportsmanship Promotion Survey to NYSPHSAA, and 49 schools were chosen by their Sections as plaque winners. The schools selected as banner award winners, as chosen by the NYSPHSAA, will be presented a banner at their school during a ceremony on a date and time of their choosing.

Shelter Island School has been chosen as a Sportsmanship Promotion Banner winner for the second time in school history and the second consecutive year. Shelter Island has not had any student-athlete, coach, or fan ejections since 2014, a testament to the dedication to sportsmanship by the district. Additionally, the Athletic Department honors athletes’ best examples of sportsmanship with an award each year. 

“We are extremely humbled and honored by being named a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Sportsmanship Banner Winner for a second consecutive year,”  said Todd Gulluscio, Shelter Island School Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health, Wellness and Personnel. “This honor is a credit to the intentional focus on sportsmanship by Shelter Island UFSD, Section XI, and NYSPHSAA that is executed every day by our student-athletes, coaches, event workers, and fans. I’m very proud of all who are involved with our athletic program that made this possible and grateful to the NYSPHSAA for their recognition.”

The following is a statement from Tom Combs, Executive Director of Section XI … 

We are happy that Section XI and the President’s Council of Suffolk County Officials agreed on a contract so there are no interruptions to the 2023 high school season. 

The pay rate and contract are commensurate with our expectations of quality officiating and official’s organizations’ growth to provide Section XI’s student-athletes with the best game experience possible.

Section XI officials have always been some of the best in the nation based on ability and quality, and they continue to be some of the highest paid. As a result of these recent contract negotiations, there is also an expectation of staffing at least two officials for every Section XI contest.

We understand it has been difficult to recruit and build the next generation of school sports officials, but we are hopeful that this increase in pay and extension of goodwill between Section XI and the officials’ association will aid in the overall recruitment effort for years to come. 

Most importantly, having officials ready for opening games will support our talented and dedicated student-athletes as they pursue their scholastic goals. 

Section XI has requested that official availabilities be entered into the system for early fall contests no later than Friday at Noon. We’re ready to start this season strong.