NYSSWA: New York State Sportswriters Association

NYSSWA rankings are updated weekly.
See the latest plus the earlier weeks'
updates on our rankings page.

Leading off today: Riverhead's football season is without its head coach just days away from the start of the season vs. West Babylon.

Riverhead superintendent Diane Scricca confirmed to Newsday on Tuesday that 10th-year coach Leif Shay, a physical education teacher, has been reassigned during an unspecified ongoing investigation. The paper reported that reassignment may be related to the phys ed staff's decision to cover up security cameras in the gymnasium.

The cameras were installed in November 2005, and a source said the teachers union filed a grievance because the school's policy was that security cameras would not be placed in a classroom -- which the gym arguably is.

First rankings now online: Dobbs Ferry (Class C) and Tuckahoe (D) are starting defense of their NYSPHSAA football championships from top perches in the first New York State Sportswriters Association rankings. Each was a convincing opening-week winner. The other No. 1's in the first rankings are St. Anthony's in Class AA, Lansingburgh in 'A' and Rye in 'B.'

Mis-spent money? The new $1.4 million track at Saugerties High School will not be redesigned despite concerns about its configuration.

Track and field coach John Lombardo told the school board on Tuesday that the six-lane design with long straightaways is undesirable, repeating concerns he voiced a year ago for eight lanes and a steeplechase pit.

Lombardo said a design that has more gradual curves and shorter straightaways results in fewer injuries to athletes and allows a regulation football/soccer field to be installed in the infield.

"We are basically building a track that they hardly ever build anymore," Lombardo said according to The Daily Freeman in Kingston. "It's outdated."

Superintendent Richard Rhau said he was appalled at the condition of the old track. Its upgrade is part of a $27.65 million repair and construction project. Rhau said initial bids for the project came $4 million over budget, requiring the district to make changes.

Hoops coach steps down Former Marist College standout Steve Eggink has stepped down as boys basketball coach at Saugerties in large part to be able to watch his daughters play the sport, The Daily Freeman reported.

Amanda Eggink begins her collegiate career at Concordia this fall. Middle daughter Sabrina returns to Red Hook as a freshman, and Michelle is in middle school.

"It was tough only seeing Amanda and Sabrina together on varsity five times last year," Steve Eggink told the paper. "Now Amanda has a scholarship and is going to college, so I really want to watch her play."

Eggink also does color commentary on Marist basketball telecasts.

Saugerties went 15-6 a year ago to raise Eggink's record to 171-170.

There's no business like shoe business: Reader Pete Van Wygerden passed along this tale over the weekend:

"The green & white Adidas Turf shoes served him well for 2 years. So, Karl Van Wygerden, decided to give them to his younger brother, Justin, for his JV opener at Dietz vs. Kingston. Justin was a bit nervous starting at QB. Justin is familiar with the field as he had watched Karl score 2 TD's during last year's opening victory vs. Kingston. He asked his older brother if he could wear his turf shoes for his game.

"Now Karl had to get the green and white turf shoes which were currently in his football locker at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. to brother Justin. Karl sent the shoes to the University of Albany with his girlfriend Alicia, who had been visiting over the Labor Day weekend.

"On JV game day, Thursday, Dad was assigned a mission: Go up to Albany to pick up the green & white Adidas turf shoes and get them to the game! It was a nice, sunny morning and Dad dutifully went up to Albany County to pickup the turf shoes and safely transport them to Dietz Stadium.

"During warmups, Justin sprung to life wearing the turf shoes. He then proceeded to run 55 yards on a QB keeper right up the middle of the field during the Dragons' first possession and score the opening TD of the game. It just so happened that it was the same direction as Karl went one year earlier with the same turf shoes on!

"The Dragons JVs went on to win that day just as the varsity had won a year earlier. Justin Van Wygerden went on to score another running TD in the second half to ensure the victory.

"So my question is . . . Are the turf shoes magic?"

Extra points: Arsley's Dave Ponterio coached his 200th girls volleyball victory in 15 seasons on Tuesday with a sweep of Byram Hills.

9/05/24: New York's Week 0 football intrigue