NYSSWA: New York State Sportswriters Association

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Leading off today: A special investigator’s report on recent controversies at Buffalo’s McKinley High terms the suspension of basketball player Jayvonna Kincannon "excessive," a Board of Education member told The Buffalo News yesterday.

The report said the seven-week suspension, later reduced to five weeks, should have been three weeks or less, board member Ralph Hernandez told the paper.

"We have determined that the suspension was not appropriate in relation/comparison to violations of the same nature during a similar time period,” the report said. “Indeed, this suspension was excessive.” The 108-page report by David Edmunds Jr. said the suspension process lacked "the minimum protections of due process" and did not comply with state education law or the board’s own policies.

The report says McKinley Principal Crystal Barton "had every right to dismiss Michelle Stiles as a volunteer at the school." It was that action that led up to Kincannon's suspension after she was caught using a cellphone in school to try to sign up to speak at a board of education meeting.

The report says teacher and boys basketball coach James Daye was a factor in removing Stiles as a girls basketball assistant coach.

Hernandez said the report does not recommend disciplinary action against any employee.

League realignment: The Suburban Council League in Section 2 is changing from a three-division format to two six-team divisions in most sports beginning next fall.

"We looked at this as a transportation issue," said Suburban Council president Wayne Bertrand, the AD at Guilderland. "Gas prices are very high and schools are confronted with bus issues."

In sports in which all 12 schools compete, the North Division contains Ballston Spa, Burnt Hills, Niskayuna, Saratoga Springs, Shaker and Shenendehowa. The South Division will be made up of Averill Park, Bethlehem, Colonie, Columbia, Guilderland and Mohonasen. Teams will play divisional opponents twice and meet the schools from the opposite division once to form a 16-game league schedule in most sports.

Assault charge: Schenectady varsity football coach Carmen DePoalo faces a charge of third-degree assault for allegedly beating a man in a restaurant in February, The Daily Gazette reported. DePoalo, 57, was charged April 17 with the misdemeanor. He was arraigned that day in City Court and is scheduled to return to court May 29, according to court officials.

DePoalo is also business agent for Local 301 of the International Union of Electronic Workers/Communications Workers of America. The union represents 1,100 employees at GE Energy in Schenectady.

DePoalo is accused of assaulting Thomas Donato, 58, inside Ferrari’s Restorante, according to court papers. Court documents allege DePoalo punched Donato in the face, then got on top of the prone man and continued to punch him in the face repeatedly. Donato told police he needed treatment for face and neck injuries.

DePoalo filed misdemeanor assault charges against Donato, but the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office dismissed those charges Wednesday.

If convicted of third-degree assault, DePoalo could face up to a year in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, up to three years of probation or a combination of the three. Schenectady city school spokeswoman Karen Corona said DePoalo does not teach in the district. He is paid $4,800 per season to coach.

Albany coach approved: Massillon, Ohio, native and West Point graduate Brian Spicer has been approved as the new football coach at Albany High, replacing Joe Burke, The Times Union reported.

"I'm sure they were wondering why someone from Ohio would apply for the job here," said Spicer, a three-sport star at Massillon's Washington High. Spicer's wife, Grace, is from Saratoga Springs, and he started looking at options when Marietta High in Ohio began studying substantial budget cuts.

"My wife has moved around with me for 18 years. I thought this was a great opportunity and a chance for her to come home," Spicer said.

Albany won the Section 2 Class AA championship in 1996 but has won just 23 of 101 games since.

"I think that (challenge) is what drew me to this job," said Spicer, who will teach math at Albany. "There is no reason why we can't win at Albany. Football is a valuable asset to the community. This program is going to be built on leadership and character."

11/24/24: PSAL cracks down, imposes hoops forfeits

11/22/24: Bayport-Blue Point football extends streaks

11/19/24: Some thoughts following the playoffs weekend

11/15/24: Plainedge football pulls off last-play win

11/8/24: Court restores Syracuse ITC to grid playoffs

11/6/24: West Islip girls soccer advances on PKs

11/5/24: Newburgh forfeits sectional football opener

11/2/24: Top-ranked 'D' football team's season over

10/31/24: Herricks' Walia wins state tennis singles title

10/28/24: S-WR senior making the grade in 2 sports

10/27/24: Copiague football ends its record losing streak

10/26/24: Herkimer gridders claw way back to .500

10/25/24: Girls lacrosse schedule proposal nixed

10/22/24: NYSPHSAA Exec Committee meeting preview

10/19/24: Albany CBA wins Sec. 2 football showdown

10/18/24: Baldwinsville cracks 'USAT' eSports rankings

10/16/24: Wisc. hits schools hard for paperwork glitch

10/14/24: Bethlehem girls, Macchia win Eastern States

10/13/24: Iona Prep slips past Hayes in 'AA" showdown

10/11/24: La. QB throws for 817 yards in overtime loss

10/10/24: Report: N.Y. girls to join transgender protest

10/7/24: More eight-man teams left stranded in Week 5

10/5/24: 18 ranked N.Y. football teams fall in Friday action

10/4/24: Longest U.S. football futility streak continues

10/3/24: Syracuse.com's twist on fantasy football

9/30/24: M-E edges Waverly in battle of No. 1 teams

9/27/24: Report: Sec. 3 athletes flock to NIL Club

9/25/24: Ex-Kellenberg QB sets off an NIL drama

9/23/24: NYSPHSAA warns about potential NIL isssue

9/21/24: South Park's Nunes shatters N.Y. rushing record

9/20/24: Storytelling in H.S. sports is alive and well

9/19/24: Longtime SWR coach Paul Koretzki, 84, dies

9/17/24: Western N.Y. teams embracing Guardian Caps

9/15/24: N.J. shows us N.Y. football has a ways to go

9/14/24: Another UPrep game, another fan incident

9/13/24: Ohio wrestles with aftermath of shootings

9/11/24: Mass. school forfeits over male opponent

9/10/24: Regents table vote on expanding mixed competition

9/9/24: Shot clock experiment will change lacrosse

9/7/24: Garden City sets L.I. football record

9/6/24: Lawsuit takes aim at N.C.'s NIL ban

9/5/24: New York's Week 0 football intrigue

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