Hall of Fame
Judith Salerno was a successful administrator for more than 30 years in Section VIII. In 1967, she began a career teaching middle school physical education in the Bellmore-Merrick School District following a year at Baldwin School District.
In 1974, she became the first woman to chair the NYSPHSAA Modified Committee and has done so until today. Her work with the Modified Committee resulted in many noteworthy initiatives including changes in practice requirements, extended playing time pilot program, softball pitching distance, developing a Modified philosophy, variations, restrictions and overtime rules. Furthermore, she served as the Section VIII chair on the NYSPHSAA volleyball, boys tennis, and girls tennis committees from 1974 into the 1990’s.
She was also particularly influential as an advocate for girls sports in New York State by serving on various committees and working with numerous organizations across the state and country. Judy was a member of the Association of Women in Physical Education in New York State (AWPENYS) holding many positions on the state and Nassau County levels including chairperson, executive board member, and treasurer. A New Rochelle High School graduate, Judy was also on the coordinating committee of the Coalition of Women in Education Sports Symposium in the 1970’s. In 1994, she was recognized by Stony Brook University with the Crown Trophy Award at the Girls and Women in Sports Day Celebration, and a year later Hofstra University honored her with the award for outstanding contributions to girls and womens sports.
Judy, who served as President and State Corresponding Secretary for New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NYSAHPERD) in the Nassau Zone, was recognized by NYSAHPERD on four occasions: Distinguished Service (1981), Council of Physical Education State Service Award (1982), the Amazing Physical Educator Award (1989) and Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year (1997).
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in physical education from Adelphi University in 1966 and a Master’s Degree in special education from Hofstra in 1970.