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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 5 at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs. The Committee voted on several key proposals important to the Association’s 787-member schools.

The Committee approved only using a digital ticketing platform for all NYSPHSAA state championship events starting with the 2021-22 school year.  Digital ticket prices were approved to be $10 (+ fees) for all championships.

The Executive Committee approved an adjustment to the boys and girls cross country classification cut-off numbers. The new numbers, which would take effect in fall 2021, can be found on page 88 of the agenda found here.

Additionally, all spring 2020 regional rotations and state tournament rotations were advanced to 2022 for spring team sports, plus boys tennis individual championships which uses a bye to fill the at-large slots. Also pertaining to championships, the Committee approved extending bid terms for all 2021 spring state championships for an additional year as a result of the cancellation of this year’s spring state championships.

The following state championship venues were approved for new terms: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (Flushing) as the host of the 2021-2023 NYSPHSAA Girls Tennis Team Championships and as the host of the 2022-2024 NYSPHSAA Boys Tennis Team Championships; the Edison Club and McGregor Country Club (Wilton/Rexford, NY) as the host of the 2022-2024 NYSPHSAA Girls Golf Championships.

The meeting was called to order by President Julie Bergman at 9:00 am and concluded at 11:40 am. The next meeting of the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee will be in conjunction with the Central Committee meeting on July 27-28, 2021 at the Resort World Catskills in Monticello, NY.

Section XI News

NYSPHSAA Mental Health Awareness Week

A note from NYSPHSAA …

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) Mental Health Awareness Week is Monday, May 3 – Friday, May 7,2021. The goal of the initiative is to encourage schools to provide training to athletic administrators, coaches, and student-athletes, to help them learn how to identify signs & symptoms of mental illness, break the stigma associated with it, and provide resources to those who need them.

As an association, we would like you join the initiative as we believe athletic directors and coaches have a lasting impact on the lives of our student-athletes. According to the Mental Health Association of New York State, early signs of mental illness are often mistaken for typical characteristics of childhood and adolescent development. As a result, being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness in your student-athletes is imperative.

To join the initiative, NYSPHSAA has provided a toolkit to make it easier for schools and athletic departments to participate. The downloadable toolkit and presentation can be found on the Safety & Research page of the NYSPHSAA website (on the top left side of the page). The link is provided below. This year, our focus is on highlighting positive mental health strategies!

In addition to your participation through social media, we ask you, your coaches, and student-athletes sign up for the National Federation of High School’s (NFHS) Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention course (link below). This course helps identify types of mental health issues experienced by students. It also provides strategies for students coping with mental health conditions and encourages students to seek help when needed, for themselves and their peers.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the initiative at kjadin@nysphsaa.org.

Thank you for your support and more importantly the dedication you put toward the success of student-athletes each and every day!

Uncategorized

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Announces Updated Guidance for HS Sports

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today released updated guidance for high school sports from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. Based on the decreasing positivity rate for COVID-19 in Suffolk County, the increasing rate of vaccination, and the eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine having been expanded to those 16 years of age and over, as well as the ability to practice and play outdoors, mandatory testing for high-risk sports is no longer required.

While testing is no longer required, the Health Department recommends weekly testing and encourages athletic programs to develop opportunities for their student athletes 16 and over to get vaccinated. The County will continue to provide test kits to those districts that request them for Boys Lacrosse – the only high-risk sport involved in the Spring season. Since February 1, the County has distributed 80,000 test kits for high-risk sports. Additionally, the County Executive’s Office and Health Department are coordinating with the Suffolk County Police Department’s MedCAT unit to pilot a vaccine clinic for student athletes and other student groups next week, beginning with Center Moriches School District.

“As a parent, I understood just how important it was to get our kids back out on the field, and over the last few months our student athletes and coaches have proven that with the right protocols in place, all sports can be played in a safe manner,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “From the onset of this pandemic, we have followed the data, and with the lowest positivity rate we have seen in months and increasing vaccinations, the health department will no longer be requiring weekly testing for student athletes. Ultimately, the vaccine is the tool that will enable us to win this war, and we will be working with our local districts to ensure student have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.”

In January, County Executive Bellone announced a comprehensive plan that would allow for sports deemed as high-risk to resume with common sense safety measures and guidelines in place. The County’s plan, which was developed in close consultation with the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association and Section XI, has allowed for approximately 21,500 student athletes to participate in their respective high-risk sports. On average there are more than 60,000 student athletes participating in various high school sports during a normal school year.

Suffolk County Department of Health guidelines to ensure safe play include:

  • Taking the temperatures of players and coaches prior to practices and games.
  • Masks should be worn whenever possible, especially when on the sidelines not engaged in play.
  • Enforce social distancing when not engaged in play.
  • Require hand washing or sanitizing of hands before and after practices and games, and after sharing equipment.
  • Minimize equipment sharing. Players should bring their own equipment; have individual water bottles, and no sharing of food.
  • Maintain attendance logs of players, staff, and coaches. Attendance logs should include contact information.
  • Play in smart spaces. Always outdoors if possible. Use large and well-ventilated spaces for play.
  • Consider dividing larger teams into smaller groups and stagger practices with different times or days. Limit those individuals not essential to the practice from attending.
Section XI News

Section XI Volleyball Championships Set

Championships matches will take place on Saturday, April 24 …

BOYS

  • DIVISION I: No. 2 Smithtown West v. No. 4 Sachem North
  • DIVISION II: No. 1 ESM v. No. 2 Westhampton Beach

GIRLS

  • AA: No. 1 Smithtown West v. No. 2 Connetquot
  • A: No. 1 Harborfields v. No. 2 Kings Park
  • B: No. 1 John Glenn v. No. 2 Bayport-Blue Point
  • C:  No. 1 Mattituck v. No.  2 Babylon