By: NYSPHSAA Staff

Latham, NY- The New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. (NYSPHSAA) held their Spring Executive Committee Meeting at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs, addressing several  proposals made by sport committees, ad hoc and standing committees for this spring and beyond.  
During the meeting, Section IV made a motion off the floor to waive the 7-day rule this spring due to weather challenges. The motion was seconded, then eventually approved unanimously for immediate implementation. Prior to this vote and with a unanimous decision, Half Hollow Hills Athletic Director Debra Ferry was approved as the next NYSPHSAA Officer, with a tenure of September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2032.
For the sport of football, it was approved to use a 6^th official, currently the standby official, as an on-field working official during the state semifinal and final games for 2024 (carried 20-2). Football also received an approval for language on the combined practice rule, “F. 11-man football may conduct 11-on-11 drills for a maximum of 10 offensive and 10 defensive plays and 8-man football may conduct 8-on-8 drills for a maximum of 10 offensive plays and 10 defensive plays.” Additionally, after presenting a motion to move the football season start date to the Wednesday of week #7, the Executive Committee amended the motion to start the season on the Monday of week #7. The motion was approved for the 2024 season.
Amidst General Action voting, the proposal to begin the spring sport season on the Monday of week #36 was defeated 4-18. The softball committee proposal to adopt NFHS Rules with waivers beginning in the 2025 season was approved by a vote of 14-8.
Approvals came forward for numerous bowling proposals including permitting the use of rotating at-large berths when a division (1,2 or Composite) has an odd number of teams competing in the NYSPHSAA Bowling Championships. Along with at-large berths, it was approved to allow bowlers to compete in both team and composite events at states, with sectional discretion. Two other bowling proposals were introduced but will be voted on in July.

To address scheduling issues during the NYSPHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships, the Executive Committee approved the implementation of a three-day tournament starting in 2024.
Two championship host sites were also approved. Middletown High School was approved as host of the NYSPHSAA Boys Soccer Championships for 2025-27. Clarence High School (2025) and Whitesboro High School (2026) will split hosting duties for the NYSPHSAA Gymnastics Championships.

NYSPHSAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) members Aiden Pearl (Section VII) and Jayda Perry (Section VI) recapped the committee’s Student Leadership Conference, held in March, then requested approval for the addition of a SAAC representative to join select standing NYSPHSAA committees, at the discretion of the NYSPHSAA Executive Director. It was approved by a 22-0 vote.

In order for local law enforcement to better address safety measures for NYSPHSAA membership schools and during NYSPHSAA championships, the Executive Committee approved revisions to the Drone Policy to address law enforcement concerns.  
The complete meeting agenda can be found here.

The list of approved items can be found at the NYSPHSAA Central/Executive Committee Page.

The NYSPHSAA Central and Executive Committees will meet July 30-31 at the Hyatt Place Long Island/East End in Riverhead, New York. The meeting will culminate with the induction of the Class of 2024 NYSPHSAA Hall of Fame on Wednesday, July 31^st.