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Section XI News

NYSPHSAA Holds Quarterly Executive Committee Meeting in Saratoga

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its quarterly meeting of the Executive Committee on Wednesday, May 4th at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs. The committee voted on several key proposals important to the Association’s 787-member schools.

To be more inclusive of participants’ cultural and religious beliefs, the Executive Committee approved adding the following to the NYSPHSAA Jewelry Rule in the NYSPHSAA Handbook:

“Hair adornments, including beads, may be worn provided they are secured and do not present a safety hazard to the player, teammates, or opponent(s).”

The Committee approved waiving the seven-day rule for the remainder of the spring season, which allows teams to play or practice every day of the week, effective immediately.

The NYSPHSAA Football Committee received approval for numerous proposals: a formal regional football championship for 8-man football for a two-year period, the penalty for a football player who is disqualified for targeting will not permitted to participate for the next two halves of a game, and allowing football teams participating in the NYSPHSAA championships to begin their season on the Saturday of week 7 (of the NYSPHSAA standard calendar). The Executive Committee defeated a football proposal to allow Sections VIII and XI to start on the Monday of week 7.

The following championship venues were approved: Carrier Dome for Football State Finals (2023-25), Middletown High School (2023-25) for the Football East State Semifinals, and Cicero North Syracuse High School (2023 & 2025) and Vestal High School (2024) to share a rotation for the Football West State Semifinals.

The sport of girls volleyball had four proposals approved: a waiver of the fifth set and instead play to 15 points (varsity only), a waiver of NYSPHSAA rule #3 related to warm-up space, adopting a 75 second -time out rule as used in the NCAA and a new regional rotation for 2022-2025.

The boys and girls tennis proposal to establish a format to play for 9th and 10th place in singles and doubles at the tennis state championships was defeated. The field hockey proposal to amend the current regional rotation and fill byes with at-large teams was approved. The sport of boys lacrosse was granted approval to revise the current classification cut-off numbers as well as a new regional rotation was approved for 2022-2027.

Adam Stoltman, Superintendent of Alden Central School (Section VI), was approved as the second Vice President of the Association. His term will begin on July 28th.

The complete meeting agenda can be found here. A recap pf the voting items can be found here.

The meeting was called to order by President Julie Bergman at 9:00 am and concluded at 1:36 pm. The next meeting of the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee will be held in conjunction with the NYSPHSAA Central Committee meeting at the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid July 26th-28th.

Section XI News

NYSPHSAA Section XI Mental Health Awareness Week

Throughout NYSPHSAA/Section XI Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ll share tips, tidbits and notes on this page and social media.

*This week is all about raising awareness of mental health in the realm of interscholastic athletics. Even student-athletes can be affected by mental illness. Remember, you are not alone.

*Establishing and maintaining healthy relationships can make us feel happier, physically healthier, and improve our wellbeing. Here are some tips to do just that!

*Recognizing someone struggling with mental health issues isn’t a straightforward science. If you notice someone is having a rough day, reach out with a text or phone call letting them know how much they mean to you.

Section XI News

Section XI Supports NYSPHSAA Mental Health Awareness Week

During the week of May 2-May 6, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) is launching its 3rd Annual Mental Health Awareness Week, a campaign to raise awareness of mental health in the realm of interscholastic athletics.

The goal of the initiative is to encourage schools to provide training to athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes to help them learn how to identify signs and symptoms of mental illness, break the stigma associated with it, and provide resources to those who need them.

According to the Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS), “Mental health awareness helps everyone to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness and ease people into the process of seeking aid for themselves or others. Confiding in a peer, trusted adult, or professional is extremely beneficial because 60-90% of those who receive treatment experience positive outcomes.”

How to Participate:

  • Follow NYSPHSAA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and share NYSPHSAA’s posts throughout the day.
  • Post your own school’s content by showcasing current student-athletes/coaches/administrator’s personal healthy habits. Always use the hashtags #NYSPHSAA and #YouMatterNY.
  • Encourage coaches or student-athletes to post videos on social media stating a statistic or why it is important for students/coaches to learn about mental health.
  • Feel free to use the social media posts provided in toolkit and always use the hashtags #NYSPHSAA and #YouMatterNY.
  • Email coaches sample email provided within toolkit.
  • Suggest coaches and student-athletes to take the NFHS Student Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Course (Free)
Section XI News

NYSPHSAA Places Moratorium on Prohibition of Hair Adornments

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) Officers have unanimously voted in favor of placing a moratorium upon the prohibition of hair adornments until its member schools can adequately address this topic and concerns.
As a results of the Officers’ decision, the following will be added to the NYSPHSAA Jewelry Rule:
“Hair adornments, including beads, may be worn provided they are secured and do not present a safety hazard to the player, teammates or opponent.”
It should be noted, Officers of the NYSPHSAA may make decisions on emergency matters, per the NYSPHSAA Constitution (Article IV. 2) which states:
“A committee of officers in consultation with the staff shall have the authority to act on all  matters not provided for in this constitution and bylaws, and on such emergency business as may arise between regular meetings of the Executive Committee.”
“Our Association has given the topic a significant amount of attention the past four months as a result of concerns brought to us by the membership,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “As a membership-led organization, it is important to listen to the concerns of our schools and take action to ensure student-athletes are able to participate in a beneficial manner while the membership fully examines this rule.”
The NYSPHSAA Jewelry Rule, which has been in place for more than two decades, prohibits jewelry and only permits hair restraints that control a competitor’s hair. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has already amended several national sport rules to allow hair adornments to be worn.
“In consultation with NYSPHSAA’s legal counsel, NYSPHSAA’s Executive Director and following the NFHS direction on hair adornments, we felt it was most appropriate to make this decision today on behalf of student-athletes,” said Julie Bergman, NYSPHSAA President.