Members of Section XI’s executive committee took part in NYSPHSAA Central Committee events this summer.

In the photo are Tim Mullins (l. to r.), Patti Trombetta, Tom Combs, Deb Ferry, and Mike Radday.

One of the more heavily recruited track and field talents from Suffolk County in recent years, Huntington’s Infinite Tucker had an incredible junior year at Texas A&M.

Tucker had a career best 49.38 in the 400-meter hurdles to capture an SEC championship.

The video of his championship run also went viral and won an ESPY Award for best viral video in 2019.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) is pleased to announce the members of the 2019-20 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). This year, 12 new members will join the SAAC, teaming with the 10 returning members who served as juniors last year. The SAAC is made up of two student-athlete representatives, one male and one female, from each of the eleven sections in New York State.

During the 2018-19 school year, the committee created NYSPHSAA Mental Health Awareness Week and had the opportunity to provide input on several proposals including the transfer rule and exceeding the maximum number of contests rule. This year, the committee will continue to promote the mental health initiative. In addition, the SAAC will focus on the creation of a NYSPHSAA Leadership Conference and continue to provide feedback on Executive Committee proposals.  A total of 76 student-athletes applied to be members of this years SAAC.

Erin Holler from Smithtown East, and Ben Glazebnik from Half Hollow Hills East have been selected from Section XI.

“We are excited to welcome the new members and the returning members of the SAAC this school year”, said Dr. Robert Zayas NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “Having student voices in our organization is key to providing feedback to further enhance and improve our programs with our member schools. We congratulate the members of the SAAC on their selection to this committee and look forward to their ideas and contributions during the upcoming school year.”

The SAAC will meet four times via teleconference during the school year. The first meeting will take place Sunday, September 22. The 3^rd annual SAAC summit will take place on Saturday November 30^th and Sunday December 1^st at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse during the NYSPHSAA football championships.

Rob Grable was a standout three-sport athlete at Connetquot High and played professional baseball in the Tigers and Phillies organizations.

He passed away suddenly at the age of 49 on Friday, July 19.

Grable was the principal of Mount Sinai High School at the time of his death.

Section XI mourns his passing.

Read more about Grable and his unfortunate death.

Kings Park coach and teacher Michael McDermott, 37, was jogging in St. James like he always does when he was tragically killed. Kings Park and Smithtown communities are mourning a great loss.

McDermott was a JV baseball coach at Kings Park High School, as well as a middle school physical education teacher.

Friends and family of McDermott have set up a Go Fund Me page to help off-set costs of the funeral and to help his wife and three young children.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. (NYSPHSAA) announces its 2018-19 Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction and School of Excellence Award winners.

The purpose of the School of Distinction and School of Excellence Awards are to unite varsity coaches in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide honor. This year, 35 schools earned the School of Distinction Award and 135 schools earned the School of Excellence Award.  An additional 5 schools received the School of Distinction Award and 19 more received the School of Excellence Award compared to 2017-18 school year. This year’s figures represent the highest number of NYSPHSAA member schools being recognized for their academic achievements.

“To see the numbers of schools honored increase again is a true testament the kind of student-athletes were have here in New York State,” said Dr. Robert Zayas NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “We continue to be proud of this program that highlights and celebrates schools that value the importance of academics, as well as athletics.”

Schools can earn School of Distinction status by having 100% of its varsity teams qualify for and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award during their respective sports seasons. To earn the School of Excellence Award, 75% of a school’s varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award. The full list of School of Distinction and School of Excellence Award winners is below.

SCHOOLS OF DISTINCTION FROM SECTION XI

• BABYLON JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL
• ELWOOD/JOHN GLENN HIGH SCHOOL
• KINGS PARK HIGH SCHOOL
• NORTHPORT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
• ROCKY POINT HIGH SCHOOL
• SHELTER ISLAND SCHOOL
• SMITHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL-WEST
• WESTHAMPTON BEACH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE FROM SECTION XI

• CENTEREACH HIGH SCHOOL
• COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL
• COMSEWOGUE HIGH SCHOOL
• EARL L VANDERMEULEN HIGH SCHOOL
• MILLER PLACE HIGH SCHOOL
• NEWFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
• NORTH BABYLON HIGH SCHOOL
• PATCHOGUE-MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL
• PIERSON MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
• RIVERHEAD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
• SMITHTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
• SMITHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL-EAST
• SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL
• WALT WHITMAN HIGH SCHOOL

Wishing you a happy, healthy and very proud Fourth of July! #USA