Leading off today: At least five Section 5 football programs appear to have violated practice rules outlined in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association handbook, the
Democrat and Chronicle reported today.
Dick Cerone, chairman of the Section 5 and NYSPHSAA football committees, told the paper he received complaints from around the state that some teams practiced in shoulder pads or with varying types of blocking devices during the first three days of practice this week.
According to the NYSPHSAA Inc. Standards in the handbook, "The first 3 days of practice must be noncontact, without protective pads and without blocking sleds and other blocking devices."
Players from Greece Olympia, Rush-Henrietta, Victor, Webster Schroeder and Webster Thomas have been shown in Democrat and Chronicle images online and in print practicing in pads or using tackling sleds or hand shields before Thursday.
Cerone told coaches at Section 5’s annual preseason meeting Thursday that he knew some were in violation and cautioned them to follow the rules, the paper reported. Any sanctions for schools would be handled at league or school district level.
Volleyball on hold: The proposed Southern Tier Athletic Conference boys volleyball league, scheduled to launch next spring, has been canceled after three schools dropped out, The Press & Sun-Bulletin reported.
"The Elmira schools pulled out and then Owego did too," STAC Executive Director Carlton Gaffney told the paper. "That left just three schools -- Ithaca, Vestal and Horseheads -- and that's not enough for a league.
It is not too late for a boy to join a girls volleyball teams, which have already started practice for the fall season. Prospective male players must complete the required paperwork and meet eligibility requirements.
