The NYSPHSAA Captains Club, presented by NYSCOPBA, will have a new look this school year.

Omari Pearson is the founder of Passion to Purpose and he tells you what to expect in the upcoming video series they are happy to be presenting.

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On Tuesday, September 1 Tim Mullins of Bayport-Blue Point (Section XI) began his term as a NYSPHSAA officer in the role of second Vice President.

Mullins has been the Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics at Bayport-Blue Point since 2003.

Prior to that he worked at West Islip School District and has been a member of the Section XI and NYSPHSAA boys’ lacrosse committees since 2006.

He begins an eight-year term as a NYSPHSAA officer (2020-2028) in the role of second Vice President.

“My goal as an officer is to keep the rich tradition of excellence going that has been created by NYSPHSAA,” said Mullins. “Dr. Zayas and his staff have created tremendous opportunities for student-athletes around the state. I want to ensure the association continues to make positive impacts on student–athletes and coaches across this great state. During these unprecedented times I think the importance of athletics has never been so vital. There is no time like the present where our students need an outlet, their teammates and coaches to get back to some sort of normalcy.”

The current NYSPHSAA officers are:

• President – Julie Bergman (Section IV)
• 1^st Vice President – Russell Bartlett (Section VII)
• 2^nd Vice President – Tim Mullins (Section XI)
• Past President – Paul Harrica (Section X)

Section XI is mourning the loss of former longtime official Patricia Habers.

She lived in Kings Park for many years and was a highly rated field hockey official for more than 30 years. She worked other sports as well.

She was inducted to the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

Section XI to Postpone All Interscholastic Athletics Until 2021, Will Operate with Three Seasons from January through June

In conjunction with its Athletic Council, County Athletic Directors, Safety Committee and Suffolk County Executive Board, Section XI will be postponing all sports until January 4 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the reasons for this decision are the potential for increased positive cases of COVID-19, the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, officials and staff members, a reduced number of spectators, a lack of locker room and facility use, increased costs in transportation and security for school districts and equity among all school districts.

Section XI’s Athletic Council voted this week to postpone the fall season and condense all three seasons – fall, winter, spring – from January through June. Section XI will run three complete seasons for the varsity, junior varsity and modified levels. These seasons will allow for all teams to play an adapted season with a culminating championship event.

“While this was a difficult decision, we feel it was the best move for the health and safety of everyone involved,” said Section XI Executive Director Tom Combs. “We still have a lot of hard work ahead in planning and executing on the three seasons across six months in 2021, but we look forward to the challenge and collaboration with our member schools and providing an impactful experience for our student-athletes and coaches.”

The seasons will run as follows:

Varsity and JV

• Season 1 (Winter), January 4- February 27
• Season 2 (Fall), March 1- May 1
• Season 3 (Spring), April 26- June 19

Modified sports

• Season 1 (Winter), January 4- February 6
• Season 2 (Late Winter), February 8- Mar 20
• Season 3 (Fall), March 22- May 8
• Season 4 (Spring), May 10- June 12

Section XI will continue to provide information on health and safety in accordance to rules and regulations provided by the New York State Public Health Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). Along with the NYSPHSAA, we continue to gather information pertaining to COVID-19 and are committed to maximizing the interscholastic athletic opportunities for students across our county.

We will never forget the men and women we lost that day. You are forever in our hearts and prayers.

Southampton High School has been selected as a national banner Special Olympics Unified Champion School.

This is the highest recognition offered for Unified Champion Schools in the nation. Out of the 10,000+ Unified Champion Schools across the country, Southampton is 1 of 155 to be recognized this year.

“The commitment your community has made to achieve the 10 standards in the components of Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole School engagement has created an accepting, respectful and supportive school culture – one that is sustainable, one that we take great pride in,” wrote Stacey Hengsterman, President & CEO of Special Olympics New York. “The application your Unified Champion School Liaison submitted is a moving testament to the impact that your program has had on the school community, while also expressing an unwavering commitment to continue this work in earnest.”

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announced today that football, volleyball and competitive cheer fall seasons will be postponed until March 1, 2021 to address membership concerns associated with high-risk fall sports.  The decision was rendered by the elected NYSPHSAA officers late this afternoon. Low and moderate risk fall sports, meanwhile, are still authorized to begin practices on September 21, 2020 as previously announced.

“We’ve spent two days speaking with nearly 500 athletic directors across the state and it’s clear that administering high-risk fall sports during the COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge for our member schools,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “These are unprecedented times and unfortunately, difficult decisions will have to be made to address this ongoing crisis. We continue to stay committed to providing support to our member schools and quality participation experiences for the students we serve.”

The revised season for football, volleyball and fall competitive cheer will be known as “Fall Sports Season II” and may officially begin practices on March 1, 2021.

As a result of fall high-risk sports being moved, the start date for the spring sports season has been adjusted to April 19, 2021.  The first official practice for spring sports will now be April 19, 2021 (the original start date was March 15).

“The NYSPHSAA officers have determined it would be unrealistic to host football, volleyball and competitive cheer seasons this fall,” said Julie Bergman, NYSPHSAA President. “This continues to be the most challenging situation educators have ever addressed.  I, along with my fellow officers, believe the participation experiences for football, volleyball and competitive cheer athletes will be more beneficial in the spring than in the fall.”

Low and moderate risk fall sports practices are still scheduled to begin on September 21^st for those schools and sections who have determined it feasible to host interscholastic athletics at this time.  Regular season games can begin for low and moderate risk fall sports (girls tennis, cross country, girls swimming/diving, boys soccer, girls soccer, field hockey) once student-athletes have participated in the required number of practices as per NYSPHSAA bylaws.

In response to questions and concerns expressed by member schools, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), offers this document as a recommended resource on how schools may consider approaching the “Return To Interscholastic Athletics.”

As NYSPHSAA and its 11 member sections continue to gather information pertaining to the COVID-19 virus and receive continued feedback the contents of this document may be revised. NYSPHSAA is committed to maximizing the interscholastic athletic opportunities for students across the state.

Furthermore, NYSPHSAA will remain flexible in considering that certain sports may be impacted differently, and play may need to be modified at some point during the season. Participation in interscholastic athletics is certainly voluntary for both the individuals and the schools.

NYSPHSAA recognizes school district superintendents and boards of education have the authority and autonomy to administer their district’s athletic programs as they deem appropriate.

In accordance with NYSDOH guidance (Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Sports and Recreation), the ability to participate in sports and recreation activities is determined by a combination of the risk for COVID-19 transmission (1) inherent in the sport or recreation activity itself and (2) associated with the “type of play” (e.g. individual practice vs. game).

Sports and recreation activities are categorized by NYSDOH as “low” risk, “moderate” risk, and “high” risk.

CLICK TO READ FULL REPORT!

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) COVID-19 Task Force met on Monday, August 31 for the fifth time and examined New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidance which provided recommendations for the fall interscholastic athletic season.  The COVID-19 Task Force is developing a comprehensive document with guidance for member schools to utilize as they prepare for the return of interscholastic athletics this fall.  The anticipated release date of the return to interscholastic athletics document is Friday, September 4.

The NYSPHSAA officers voted today to delay the start of the winter sports season from November 16 to November 30 to give schools and sections more time to complete the fall athletic season. The officers also voted to approve revising the number of required practices for fall sport student-athletes (12 practices for football and 10 for all other fall sports).  The NYSPHSAA officers decision also includes waiving the seven consecutive day rule starting on October 12, continuing to consider the high-risk sports of football and volleyball as fall sports, and restricting games for low and moderate risk sports to compete within their league and/or section until October 19.

“I am encouraged by the work of our association and state officials to provide the opportunity for schools to offer interscholastic athletics for students this fall,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director.  “Unfortunately all sports will look different and participation will not be the same as it was a year ago, but students will have the chance to represent their school, be around their friends and coaches, and experience a sense of normalcy this fall.  It is critical that student-athletes be leaders in their schools and communities and strictly abide by COVID-19 safety protocols.”

“As the fall sports season starts on September 21, we felt it was most appropriate to delay the start of the winter sports season by two weeks to afford sections and schools additional time to play the fall sports seasons before the winter seasons began,” said Paul Harrica, NYSPHSAA President and Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force, “The Task Force and officers spent a great deal of time discussing these topics to determine what is best for schools and student-athletes.”

With regional differences, schools and areas will continue to be impacted differently by the COVID-19 crisis. At the discretion of the NYSPHSAA officers, if the fall sports seasons are interrupted or impacted by the COVID-19 crisis (i.e. state official guidance, school closings, etc.), then a condensed seasons plan could still be implemented. That decision will be made by the NYSPHSAA officers with the information available at that time.

On July 13 guidance from NYSDOH prohibited any interscholastic athletics until further notice.  On August 24, Governor Andrew Cuomo provided authorization for fall sports to begin on September 21.  Governor Cuomo will permit low and moderate risk sports to have competitions this fall, while high risk fall sports will be prohibited from having any games or contests until authorization is granted from New York State officials on or before December 31.  As per the NYSPHSAA officers decision today, low and moderate risk sports will be restricted to playing games in their own league and/or section until October 19.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) conducted two meetings today in response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s August 24 announcement to begin preparing for the 2020 fall interscholastic athletics seasons on September 21.

The eleven section executive directors, officers and NYSPHSAA staff met this morning, while the NYSPHSAA COVID-19 Task Force met this afternoon, for the fourth time, since the COVID-19 crisis began impacting high school athletics in New York State.  The meetings were held to examine and discuss the start of the fall sports seasons and analyze guidance from state officials.  The NYSPHSAA will continue to review guidance as recommendations and considerations are developed to aide schools with the implementation of interscholastic athletic programs.

“We are encouraged and appreciative of Governor Cuomo authorizing the start of the fall sports seasons for low and moderate risk sports and affording high risk sports the opportunity to begin practicing on September 21^st,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “As the governing body for interscholastic sports in NYS, our primary role will be to work with schools, coaches and parents to ensure recommended COVID-19 guidelines are practiced vigilantly for the safety and wellness of all student-athletes. Over 200,000 students participate in the fall high school sports seasons and yesterday’s announcement was certainly a positive step for all those athletes.”

“The leadership of NYSPHSAA and eleven sections realize there are challenges to overcome and questions to be addressed in an effort to provide a beneficial participation experience for student-athletes this fall,” said Paul Harrica, NYSPHSAA President and Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force. “Our primary goal is to get students back into an academic setting and then work on athletic participation opportunities.”

The NYSPHSAA’s staff, section executive directors and COVID-19 Task Force plan to meet again prior to the end of the week to continue discussions.  Decisions must be formulized to address the number of required practices student-athletes will need before participating in a scrimmage or contest, the maximum number of contests and games to be permitted during the season and the development of considerations for schools to utilize as interscholastic athletics return to schools and communities throughout the state.