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Finally, Nassau Aquatics Center has been recommended as the 2018-20 host for boys swimming championships. Critics of some recent decisions (ice hockey, boys basketball) will note that this wasn't a dollars-and-cents pick. The Webster Aquatic Center in Section 5 submitted a bid that was significantly cheaper, but the sentiment when bids were examined was that there was a lack of deck space and seating capacity.
• The NYSPHSAA media credential policy checks in at a daunting 10 pages of guidelines and requirements that go beyond just credentials, but a thorough reading after May's Executive Committee meeting doesn't raise any flags that should be of particular concern to legitimate media. Above all else, it brings more consistency to the process of weighing whether certain media access requests are approved or declined.
• The field hockey committee is seeking approval of its new nine-year rotation for how two sections per year are paired for pre-quarterfinal contests needed to get the tournament fields down to eight quarterfinalists.
Boys basketball also has a request that applies only to Class D. At present, Sections 1, 8, 9 and 11 play down to a single quarterfinal berth in Class D -- but Section 8 typically has no representative and the three other sections are sparsely populated. A new configuration of Sections 1, 4, 9 and 11 would bring about slightly better East/West balance.
Soccer and girls basketball are among the sports that have already realigned in recognition of the imbalance.
• Members will be asked to approve a switch in sources for data that determines the current heat index and wind chill readings during times of extreme weather conditions throughout the year.
• The Central Committee will also receive a 20-page update of financial policies and practices for its consideration. It starts out a little slow, but the end is a real page-turner. (I'm kidding. It's not ... though it's hard to argue against being diligent about good governance.)
• Some tweaks to the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Award Program, including a new level of recognition. "School of Distinction" will remain the top honor, but a "School of Excellence" category could gain approval.
• CP Sportswear in Naples appears to be in line for a second consecutive three-year contract as the NYSPHSAA souvenir vendor.
Up for discussion
As usual, a number of other topics will be aired. In most cases they'll be put on the agenda for votes at Executive Committee meetings this fall or early next year.
Topping that list is the NYSPHSAA wrestling committee's proposal to conduct state-wide dual-meet championship tournaments in two classes beginning in January 2018, and the bowling committee's bid to expand its championships to two classes later that winter.
The one-day wrestling event would bring together one representative per section in each class, with the selection process left up to the respective sections. The subject is already being batted around at the local level, and this week's meeting will be an opportunity for state wrestling coordinator Marty Sherman to take the room's pulse.
With both boys and girls bowling fielding more than 300 varsity teams across the state and the championships typically dominated by teams from larger schools, the sport seems ripe for expansion.
As with many things in life, there's a "however" awaiting both sports.
Though a lot of people think launching the new wrestling tournament and expanding bowling is long overdue, there may be resistance in the form of concerns over opening the door to "me too" requests from other sports. If you recall, that was one of the rationales last fall behind the Executive Committee putting a bullet in football's request to expand to six playoff classes.
The wrestling and bowling proposals would be likely to come up for votes in October.
Along similar lines, a long-standing desire by the girls golf committee to hold a team tournament for one school from each section as part of its season-ending individual championship will also be discussed. The concept faces a few challenges for the time being, not the least of which is giving boys golf teams the same opportunity.
• A long-overdue idea being pitched by the wrestling committee would be to allow multi-school meets comprised of teams with small rosters. No team scoring would be kept and athletes would be allowed to wrestle a maximum of
