Hancock PK-12 Principal Julie Bergman will serve on the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s COVID-19 Task Force, which will examine potential impacts of the pandemic on the 2020 fall sports season and the 2020-2021 school year.
The Task Force is comprised of NYSPHSAA member superintendents, principals, athletic directors and executive directors, as well as representatives from New York State Athletic Administrators Association and New York State Education Department. Bergman is the NYSPHSAA Vice President and will be inducted as the organization's President in July, 2020.
“The goal of this task force is to bring together a group of experienced administrators and professionals to examine potential impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the upcoming school year and to provide guidance and recommendations to the 11 Sections of NYSPHSAA,” said NYSPHSAA President Paul Harrica, who selected members for the Task Force with help from NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas.
The committee plans to meet for the first time in late May or early June.
“At this time, we are planning to start fall sports on August 24,” Dr. Zayas said. “With the uncertainty of the COVID-19 crisis, I want to make sure we are prepared to focus attention on keeping student-athletes engaged in their school communities and active, while also abiding by Department of Health and Governor Cuomo’s guidelines. We must have innovative and creative thought to provide beneficial participation playing experiences for students.”
NYSPHSAA COVID-19 Task Force Members
NYSPHSAA President: Paul Harrica (Section X; Task Force Chair)
NYSPHSAA Vice President: Julie Bergman (Section IV)
NYSPHSAA 2nd Vice President: Russell Bartlett (Section X)
NYSPHSAA Immediate Past President: Jim Osborne (Section IX)
NYSPHSAA Incoming 2nd Vice President: Tim Mullins (Section XI)
Past President: Steve Broadwell (Section VII)
NYSPHSAA Executive Director: Dr. Robert Zayas
District Superintendent: Jim Dexter (Section II)
Superintendent East: Dr. Ivan Katz (Section IX)
Superintendent West: Adam Stoltman (Section VI)
Section Executive Director East: Tom Combs (Section XI), Matt Walentuk (Section VII)
Section Executive Director West: Carl Normandin (Section X), Kathy Hoyt (Section V)
Principal East: Jim Mackin (Section I)
Principal West: Paul Gasparini (Section III)
Athletic Director East: Chris Ceruti (Section VIII)
Athletic Director West: Scott Barker (Section V)
NYSAAA: Dr. Jim Wright (Section XI)
Athletic Trainers: Rick Knizek (Section II)
District Transportation Director: Chris Durdon (Section IV)
Officials: Dennis Burkett
NYS Education Department: Karen Hollowood, Ann Lanoue
NYS Department of Health: TBD
Reference/Consultants: Joe Altieri (NYSPHSAA Assistant Director), Todd Nelson (NYSPHSAA Assistant Director), Renee James (NYSPHSAA Legal Counsel), Kevin Banes (NYSPHSAA Governmental Affairs)
Posted 5/22/2020