The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has announced it will formally induct its Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Wednesday, July 30^, at Rivers Casino/The Landing Hotel in Schenectady, NY.

The Class of 2025 is Bill Bryant (Administrator, Section IV), Don Cupertino (Coach, Section I), Larry Gualtieri (Official, Section XI), Terence “T” McMahon (Coach, Section VI), Marty Sherman (Contributor, Section 2), and Carl “Rollie” Stichweh (Athlete, Section VIII). Inductees were chosen using a two-level selection and rating process involving a screening committee and a selection committee. Nominations were endorsed by each inductee’s member section of the Association—a preliminary requirement in the nomination process—before going on to the NYSPHSAA Screening Committee for consideration, then finally to the Selection Committee.  

The 2025 NYSPHSAA Hall of Fame Class will be inducted on Wednesday, July 30th, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner to follow. Tickets and other Hall of Fame event information will be released later.

Larry Gualtieri is one of the most highly respected officials in New York State, having officiated the sports of soccer, basketball, and baseball in Suffolk County (Section XI) since 1974.

Over the last several decades, Section XI has selected him numerous times to represent the section as an official at the NYSPHSAA Boys Basketball and Boys Soccer State Championships. Almost annually, the section also chooses Gualtieri as a top-rated official to officiate in the sectional playoffs in all three sports.

He has been a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials Board 40 (IAABO) of New York State since 1974 and has been a member of the Suffolk County Soccer Officials Association since 1994, serving as President and Vice President of NYS IAABO Board 19.

Larry served as the President of the IAABO Board from 1985-87 and from 2012-17.  He has compiled numerous awards for his continued consistency, officiating, and leadership in the field. Gualtieri was recognized with the Larry Chizever Award (Official of the Year) twice and earned the President’s Award (IAABO Board 40) in 1993, 1997, and 2018.

In 2011, Suffolk County Soccer Officials Association awarded him Man of the Year, and five years later, the Section XI Coaches Association voted him Referee of the Year.

In 2014, he was inducted into the Center Moriches High School Hall of Fame. Gualtieri graduated from Center Moriches High School in Section XI in 1972, earned a degree from Suffolk Community College, and then completed schooling at Suffolk County Police Academy to become a detective. 

Saratoga Springs, NY—The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its spring Executive Committee meeting at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs. The committee voted on numerous items, including sport rules and Championship Advisory Committee (CAC) proposals, and introduced new proposals for consideration.

Section VI brought forward a motion to table the 3-Region Concept for Regional Rotations for Fall 2025, which was scheduled to be voted on today. The tabled motion was approved 14-8 to be moved to July for a vote, effectively delaying implementation until Fall 2026.

Adam Stoltman, NYSPHSAA Vice President and Chair of the Budget/Audit Committee, introduced several proposals from that committee, including ticket increases for all state championship events. The proposals include an increase from $12 to $14 for Girls & Boys Wrestling and Football State Championships. Additionally, a $10.50 to $12 increase for all other sports. Both proposals will be voted on during the Central Committee meeting in July. Stoltman, also Chair of the Schools Without Boundaries Committee, reported on three separate concepts and determined that a proposal will be discussed further during the Central Committee Meeting.

Dr. Carlos Cotto, Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, provided a report on the committee’s most recent meeting. He also proposed to amend the Constitution to address representation on the Executive Committee, Central Committee, Sport Committees, Standing Committees, and Ad Hoc Committees. While no motion was made to adopt the proposed constitutional changes, a motion was passed directing the DEI Committee to explore alternative strategies for enhancing participation and representation across the aforementioned committees.

Greg Ransom, Chair of the CAC, presented a proposal on behalf of the committee for a three-night rest rule for all regional competitions for all team sports. The proposal and an amendment for a two-night rest rule were defeated. Sections can continue to use current practices for regional scheduling.

Numerous sports coordinators presented proposals for discussion or vote on behalf of their committees. Among the action items, the outdoor track was approved to reduce the number of relays from 8 to 6 starting at the 2025 state tournament. Eight-man football was agreed to hold its Regional Championship at the site of the NYSPHSAA 11-Man West State Semifinals.

In the spring, a baseball proposal to allow for scrimmages within 7-10 days of practices (with a specific pitch count) was approved. Additionally, the Executive Committee approved a waiver for the seven-day rule for spring 2025 only, allowing teams to play seven consecutive days. This was a weather-related action for this spring. Another action made in regard to weather-related issues, during sectional concerns, Section V requested a waiver to the Seven-Day Rule. A motion was made and carried by the Executive Committee.

General action items approved by the Executive Committee included all Fall sports to start two weeks before Labor Day and Football to begin on the Monday of Week #7. It is also set in motion for the Spring Sports season to start on the second Monday of March.

The Executive Committee unanimously approved Valley Gymnastics in Utica (Section III) as the host of the 2026 Gymnastics State Championships and Cold Spring Harbor High School of Section VIII as the host of the 2027 and 2029 championships.

The meeting agenda can be found here.