By: NYSPHSAA Staff

Saratoga Springs, NY – The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its quarterly Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday, January 31 at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs. The following key points were discussed and voted on that will be implemented for the regular and championship season for the 787 membership schools.

Nine championship sites were voted on during the meeting including the approval of Boys Basketball moving to Binghamton from 2025-27. Additionally in the winter, the Skiing State Championships were approved to go to Gore Mountain/North Creek Bowl (2025), Bristol Mountain/Harriet Hollister State Park (2026) and Whiteface Mountain/Mount Hoevenberg (2027) as part of a rotation. Two spring championship sites were also approved. Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton will host the 2025-2027 Softball State Championships and Hobart & William Smith Colleges will host the Boys Lacrosse State Finals from 2025-27. In the fall, Hudson Valley Community College was approved as the host site of the Game Day Cheer State Championships from 2024-26.
 
Numerous proposals were brought forward to expand state championships including two volleyball proposals.  A two-day Boys Volleyball State Championship was approved which includes every section now having representation at the state tournament. The girls volleyball state committee presented a proposal for a three-day tournament now that they have begun to compete in six classes. That item will be voted on at the May 1^st meeting.
 
Both indoor and outdoor track presented proposals for expansion as well. Indoor Track had its proposal approved to add a second division for the relays at state championships.  Outdoor Track & Field had its lone proposal approved to move to a third class starting in the 2025 spring season.

Two tennis proposals were brought forward including both girls and boys starting a 2 singles, 3 doubles format for their events starting in 2024. This was approved while a second proposal, to move all boys and girls tennis championship events (team and individual), was introduced and will be voted on in May.
 
Two football proposals were presented including the use of an additional official for state semifinals and finals. The item will be voted on May 1^st at the next Executive Committee meeting.  
 
The Safety Committee had one proposal approved. To provide safer guidelines during inclement weather for outdoor sports, the MyLightning Tracker app was approved for implementation in 2024.
 
From the modified to the varsity level, rule revisions in various sports were approved including the experimental use of a shot clock in boys and girls lacrosse as well as approving metal cleats for Modified softball.
 
The complete meeting agenda can be found here.
 
The list of approved items can be found here.
 
The meeting was called to order by President Russell Bartlett at 9:00 am and adjourned at 12:17 pm. The Winter 2024 NYSPHSAA Executive Committee will be held Wednesday, May 1st at Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs.