The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its annual Central Committee meeting starting Tuesday, July 30, and concluding on Wednesday, July 31, at The Hyatt Place Long Island/East End and Atlantis Banquets and Events in Riverhead. During the meeting, key proposals were addressed and several members were recognized for their time serving NYSPHSAA.
Several sports were approved to implement new regional rotations, which were created and recommended by each sport committee prior to the Central Committee meeting. The following sports had rotations approved: Girls Team Tennis, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, 11-man Football, Field Hockey, and Girls Volleyball starting in the fall of 2024. Additionally, a girls volleyball proposal to return to pool play during the state championship was approved. The 2023 championship was conducted in a bracketed format.
The Executive Committee approved new rule book language regarding in-game ejections. It now states: “Any athlete, coach or school representative ejected from a football game will be suspended from contest play for the next two consecutive halves.”
Boys Ice Hockey game rules were discussed and approved which now allows for an overtime structure when a game needs a singular winner. Upon the completion of two overtimes, a shootout will be conducted until a winner is earned. Additionally, the Central Committee addressed an adjustment to the rulebook for Boys Ice Hockey, which the goalie position must not be subbed into or out of a game until the next stoppage of play. Another winter sport, Bowling, was approved for two divisions in the Composite competition and approved to go from a 5-player to a 6-player format in the school competition.
For ticketed championship events, a $.50 increase in admission has been approved, which will begin this fall.
The Sportsmanship Stay in the Game award was presented to Section VII. This award recognizes the Section that has the highest percentage of schools without a disqualification penalty, for unsportsmanlike conduct, for a coach and/or player at all levels of competition this past school year.
Additionally, with the completion of her eight-year term, Past President Julie Bergman (Deposit-Hancock, Section IV) was recognized for her years of serving the membership. Debra Ferry (Half Hollow Hills, Section XI) will take her place as the incoming NYSPHSAA 2nd President. Ferry’s term as an officer begins September 1.
Several members were also recognized for their time on the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee. Section V Central Committee member Tom Schmandt was celebrated for his eight years of service before his retirement. Roberta Greene (Washingtonville, Section IX) was recognized for her decades of service to the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee as the longest-tenured member of the committee.
The meeting was concluded by the traditional Presidential Passing of the Gavel as Russell Bartlett (Tupper Lake, Section X) transferred his duties as NYSPHSAA President to Timothy Mullins (Bayport-Blue Point, Section XI) effective September 1.
The complete meeting agenda can be found here.
The list of approved items can be found here.