NYSPHSAA to cancel 2021 Spring State Championships

LATHAM, NY » The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its quarterly meeting of the Executive Committee on Wednesday, February 3rd via Zoom teleconference. The Committee voted on several key proposals important to the Association’s 787-member schools.

The four NYSPHSAA officers, acting on input from the 11 sections, section executive directors and member schools, announced the cancellation of the 2021 NYSPHSAA Spring State Championships. The decision will allow sections more time to schedule and conduct regular season contests.

The Executive Committee additionally approved the following championship venues:

Visions FCU Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton (20212023) for Game Day Cheerleading WEST Regional Championships

Arlington High School (2021-2023) for Game Day Cheerleading EAST Regional Championships

Times Union Center, Albany (2023-2025) for Wrestling Championships (individual)

Gore/north Creek (2022), Bristol/harriett Hollister (2023) and Whiteface/ Mt. Van Hoevenberg (2024) for Boys and Girls Skiing Championships

Visions FCU Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton (2023-2025) for Competitive Cheerleading Championships

The committee defeated two classification proposals which were to change the general five-sport classification cut-off numbers listed and a proposal to change the general two-division classification cut-off numbers.

A wrestling and baseball proposal were both approved by the Executive Committee. Approval was given to modify the current appeals procedure used in the State Championships (Dual and Individual). The baseball proposal, which was initially a discussion item, was brough up from the floor to adopt the NFHS Player/designated Hitter rule superseding the NYSPHSAA Pitcher/designated

Hitter rule adopted in 2019. The purpose it was brought up for a vote due to some member sections wanting it in place for the upcoming season. The vote was 10-2 in favor with 10 abstentions.

Furthermore, the Executive Committee approved adding the language “including racial or discriminatory comments or slurs” to the Sportsmanship Officials card that is read at the beginning of each athletic contest.