text:
Definitions as used in this Part:
Questions contact: Darryl Daily, NYSED at email@example.com
when certified teachers with coaching qualifications and experience are not available, upon the issuance by the commissioner of a temporary coaching license. A temporary coaching license, valid for one year, will be issued under the following conditions:
course of study comparable to that required for certification by the National Athletic Trainers Association.
12 in extra class athletic activities which are intramural activities and approved interschool competition;
beyond the control of the student, the pupil will be required to attend school for one or more additional semesters in order to graduate.
regular attendance 80 percent of the school time, bonafide absence caused by personal illness excepted.
Regulations of the Commissioner of Education
Section 135.4(c) (7) (i) (c) and Section 135.5
The Universityof the State of New York
THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT July 19, 2009
*For furtherclarificationon other specific First Aid/Pre certification's not listed, pleasecontact the Associate in Physical Education at (518) 474-5922.
NFHS Coaching Course New York State (NYS) Specific Second Pathway Guidelines
Effective July 1, 2015, coaches in New York State (NYS) will be able to pursue a second alternative pathway to complete the 3 NYS required coaching courses (Principles, Philosophy and organization of Athletics in Education, Health Sciences Applied to Coaching, and Theory & Techniques of Coaching (Sport Specific) by utilizing the NFHS online coaching courses (AIC-Level 1 and CIC-Level 2) and completion of an internship in accordance with guidelines. See link: https://nfhslearn.com/home/coaching_requirement
Not required for certification, however required by District to coach: Concussion Course (Every 2 years)
Renewal) – Two Options
Option I (Current Requirements)
Option II NFHS
SED Approved First Aid course
SED Approved CPR/AED course
Completion of Principles, Philosophy and Organization of Athletics in Education
NFHS Accredited Interscholastic Coach Certificate (AIC-Lever 1*)
Child Abuse recognition course
School Violence Prevention Course
DASA training
Not required for certification, however required by District to coach: Concussion Course (Every 2 years)(Kept at local level)
*NFHS Accredited Interscholastic Coach Certificate (AIC-Level 1) includes:
Option I (Current Requirements): Must be followed if the coach was issued the third temporary using this option
Option II (NFHS) Must be followed if the coach was issued the third temporary using this option
Completion of Principles, Philosophy and Organization of Athletics in Education
NFHS Accredited Interscholastic Coach Certificate (AIC-Level 1)
Health Sciences Applied to Coaching
NFHS Accredited Interscholastic Coach Certificate (CIC-Level 2)** Internship – 30 hours***
Theory & Techniques of Coaching (sport specific)
Verification of three years of coaching
School Violence Prevention Course,
Not required for certification, however required by District to coach: Concussion Course (Every 2 years) (Kept at local level)
** Completion of the following Certified Interscholastic Coach (CIC-Level 2)
***Internship: 30 hour minimum. Includes; Internship Evaluation Form completed (Kept at local level) and Coaching Internship Attestation (Sent to SED).
Note: If using Option II -NFHS certification for additional specific sport certificates, the evaluator must submit directly to the Office of Teaching Initiatives, the Coaching Internship Attestation form for the sport and the NFHS Sport Specific course completed.
Verification of Completion of a Sport Specific Internship for NYS Athletic Coaches using the NFHS Pathway
Instructions for the Coaching Candidate
Please complete Section I with your information and request your internship evaluator complete section 2 and return the form directly to the Office of Teaching Initiatives.
Instructions for the Coaching Internship Evaluator
Please complete Section II. This form must be completed by the person that evaluated this coaching candidate. The form must be completed and submitted directly to the Office of Teaching Initiatives by mail to:
New York State Education Department Office of Teaching Initiatives
89 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12234
Section I:
First Name:
Last Name:
Middle Initial:
Street Address:
Zip Code:
Date of Birth:
/ /
Last 4 Digits of the Social Security Number:
Section II
The coach identified above has completed an internship for:
Date internship complete: / /
mo day year
The undersigned hereby attests that he/she is the Internship evaluator of the above-described certification candidate. The coaching candidate has demonstrated the competencies as listed on the Internship Evaluation form and meets or exceeds expectations. See link: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/pe/toolkit.html The Internship Evaluation Form is found under the heading Athletics and Coaching.
School District/Agency/Organization Name: Address: Phone number: Email: Signature Internship Evaluator: Printed Name of the Internship Evaluator: Title/Position of the Internship Evaluator:
Date: / / mo day year
Internship Evaluation Attestation - July 2015
Purpose....................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Who Shall Meet the Requirements?........................................................................................................ 51
Who is Responsible for Compliance and Records?.................................................................. 54
Ways of Meeting the Educational Course Requirements for Coaching............................. 54
Sport Categories................................................................................................................................................... 55
Who MayOffer NYSEDCoaching and FA/CPR Courses...................................................................... 56
Section 135.4 (c) (7) (i) (c)
Office Of Curriculum and Instructional Support 89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12234
(518) 474-5922; Fax: (518) 486-1385
Internship Evaluation Information Form
Name of Coach:
Name and Title/Position of Evaluator:
Sport: Date Completed:
Directions: An internship (Minimum of 30 hours) will include practical experience as a coach in a specific sport while under the supervision of a school district athletic administrator and/or agency leader and/or organization leader periods of observing other approved coaches. Evidence of the coaching experience and/or periods of observation must be accompanied by the internship evaluation information form. This information must be kept by the coach being evaluated and the district athletic administrator and/or local district personnel administrator. In addition, after the evaluation is complete, a Coaching Internship Attestation will have to be competed.
See: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/login.html
Please rate demonstrated competencies of the coach in each of the listed areas of responsibilities as determined by your personal observation
4: Exceeds expectations,
3: Meets Expectations,
2: Needs Improvement,
1: Unsatisfactory
Office Of Curriculum and Instructional Support 89 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12234
Strategy analysis. 4 3 2 1
Awareness of individual and team strengths/weaknesses.
4 3 2 1
Use of teaching aids. 4 3 2 1
Motivational techniques. 4 3 2 1
Professional relationship with fellow coaches. 4 3 2 1
Control of player and team behavior/conduct. 4 3 2 1
Care of Equipment. 4 3 2 1
The above information is provided as a result of my observation and evaluation of this coach during the
season for the sport of .
Signature of Evaluator
Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Section 135.4 (c) (7) (i) (c) and Section 135.5
The Universityof the State of New York THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT July 19, 2009
In order to help provide a safe environment and successful experience for boys and girls who participate on interschool athletic teams, Section 135.4 (c) (7) (i) (c) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education pertaining to physical education include certain minimum requirements for a person to be appointed as a coach of an interschool athletic team (see Appendix A). This includes all head coaches and assistants for varsity, junior varsity, freshman and junior high (modified) teams of publicschools.
Many times a person who would like to coach an interschool athletic team has little or no preparation to teach sport skills and techniques. The only qualification is often the person's participation on a college or university team, coach of a community youth team or perhaps experience as a professional player. While such experience is valuable, it does not constitute an adequate preparation for coaching an interschool team as an integral part of the school physical education program. Courses in techniques of coaching specific sports are necessary for persons not trained and certified as physical educationteachers.
The coach needs to possess an understanding of the social, moral and physical values inherent in secondary school athletics. The coach needs to be aware of the basic philosophy and principles of athletics as integral parts of physical education and the total educational program for children. The coach needs to know the various regulations and rules governing athletics so that the decisions a coach makes will not adversely affect the eligibilityof the students or penalizestudentsunfairly.
A man or woman who coaches an interschool team must be capable of protecting the health and well-being of the students by having knowledge of the structure and function of the human body. A coach must have a working understanding of how to properly condition athletes and prevent injuries as well as recognize, evaluate and follow the proper course of actionwhen injuries do occur.
The course requirements in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education are intended to provide a person with an understanding of the basic philosophy and principles of athletics in education, the health related aspects of athletics and the techniques used to coacha specificsport.
Regardless of the experience or teaching certificates a person may have, State Education Law, Article (6), Section 3001b, requires that a person appointed as a coach of an interschool athletic team must hold valid first aid skills and knowledge certification (minimum of 12 hours initial training, valid for 3 years); and adult CPR certification (minimum of 4 hours training, valid for 2 years). Training courses are conducted by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council, and New York State Education Department approved agencies. First Aid and CPR certification must be approved prior to the first day of practice. The equivalent requirements such as sports medicine and athletic training courses are discussed later in these guidelines. In addition to the first aid certificate, all coaches of interschool teams must meet part or all of the course requirements in a pre-service and/or in- service program. Which requirements apply to the individual coach depend upon the nature of the sport to be coached and the coach's previous experience, training and basic teachingcertificate.
Potentialsecondaryschoolcoachesmay possessthree differentbackgrounds:
In addition to the first aid/CPR requirement prior to starting to coach, the certified teacher must (a) complete an approved course (or an equivalent course satisfactory to the commissioner – see Appendix C for the Coaching Equivalent form) in Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education within two years from the date of initial appointment as a coach; (b) complete a course on Health Sciences Applied to Coaching within five years of appointment as a coach; and (c) also,
within that same five years, complete a course on Theory and Techniques of Coaching the sport or sportsfor whichhe/she is appointed.
A certified teacher does not need to apply for a Temporary Coaching License. It is the responsibility of the school administration to monitor and require certified teachers to meet all requirements to coach.
accompanied by evidence of enrollment or completion of the Principles, Philosophyand Organization of Athletics in Educationcourse.
Renewal applications must include a renewal application and fee; verification of current first aid and CPR; evaluations prepared by either the Principal or the Director of Physical Education/Athleticsfor each yearcoached.
Applicants must begin the licensure process directly through the on-line State Education Department TEACH system application process at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert
The legislation on Project SAVE (Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act) requires new school district employees (both certified and non-certified) as of July 1, 2001 to undergo fingerprinting and clearance for employment. The Teacher Moral Character Unit within the Office of Teaching is responsible for developing regulations for implementing this provision and is working with the Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on this requirement.
The State Education Department will produce fingerprint packets that include two fingerprint cards, information, instructions related to legislation, fees, due process rights and where to get fingerprinted. These packets will be sent to school districts and to colleges and universitiesthat prepareteachers.
Further information regarding the Project Save fingerprinting initiative is available at the Department's web site at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert or by contacting the Office of Teacher Certification at (518) 474-6440.
In accordance with Section 80-1.4 completion of a study in child abuse identification and reporting, and school violence prevention and intervention. All candidates shall have completed at least two clock hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment in accordance with the requirements of sections 3003(4) and 3004 of the Education Law and completed at least two clock hours of coursework or training in school violence prevention and intervention, as required by section 3004 of the Education Law. Check with the local BOCES for course offerings or go to the following links to find an on-line class:
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/ca.htm (child abuse identification) and http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/save.htm (SAVE) for more
Compliance: It is the responsibility of the board of education to appoint only coaches who meet the requirements as outlined in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The chief school officer has the responsibility to see to it that all coaches once appointed by the board of education complete the necessary courses, to determine that the coaches are keeping their first aid skill and knowledge current and are complying with the coaching course requirements. Checking applicants through the SED TEACH system prior to submitting their names for appointment to the Board of Educationis highlyrecommended.
Record Keeping: Each school district must keep permanent records on persons who have been and are currently coaching in the district. It is recommended that the director of physical education and athletics maintain these records. Information on the current coaching staff should be listed in the School District Planfor Physical Education.
The courses required to be completed will depend upon the nature of the sport being coached. In addition to the first aid and CPR requirement, a person coaching a non- contact/non-strenuous sport (bowling, golf, archery, rifle, shuffleboard, table tennis) need only complete the Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education course. This is normallya 3-credit collegecourse or a 45-clock hour non-credit course.
Persons coaching contact/strenuous sports (football, soccer, track and field (indoor and outdoor), cross-country, gymnastics, wrestling, basketball, swimming, ice hockey, baseball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, team handball, volleyball, tennis, fencing, crew, skiing, handballand badminton) must have validfirst aid/CPR and must complete:
(see Appendix B - Course Outlinesand Sport Categories).
Waysinwhich the educational requirements for coaches can be met are:
and send the form and appropriate documentation: transcripts, course descriptions, certifications, etc., to the State Education Department, Office of Curriculum and Instruction, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234, Attention: Physical Education). Please note: approval for equivalent experience applied to the Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education course is seldom given because few people received the practical experiences of working with the specific rules, regulations and interpretations which govern athletics in New York State schools.
The State Education Department does not issue course credit. Credit for courses is only given by approved agencies who offer the coaching courses. Partial or full credit towards fulfillment of required courses may be given for participation in appropriate conferences, clinics, coaching schools, other courses or experiences that provide knowledge of a comparable nature. Persons who believe they can qualify for such credit should contact the SED Physical Education Associate for an evaluation of their course experiences (Coaching Course Equivalents). A review may exempt persons from class sessions covering topics in which the person'sexperience is judged to be sufficient.
All coaches must be current in first aid and CPR prior to the first day of practice for the assigned sport. First aid/CPR for coaches can be completed through various options. Options available include the following (First Aid valid for three years and CPR valid for two yearsfor the purposeof coaching):
A list of State Education Department approved agencies providing in-service first aid courses is available online at: www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/physed.html click on Toolkit, then click on the bullet: Approved Courses. Insuring that all coaches continue to meet requirements for first aid and CPR from the date of appointment to coach an interschool team is the responsibility of the chief school officer. Prior to the start of each sport season, the chief school officer must require valid evidence that each coach has kept current with skill and knowledge of first aid and CPR and that all coaches have completedcoachingcourse workas required.
Football, soccer, track and field (indoor and outdoor), cross-country, gymnastics, wrestling, basketball, swimming, ice hockey, baseball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, team handball, volleyball, tennis,fencing, crew, skiing, handballand badminton.
Bowling, golf, archery, rifle, shuffleboard, tabletennis.
Programs may be offered by colleges and universities, two year colleges, school districts, BOCES, professional organizations, athletic leagues, section athletic councils, athletic associations or other recognized groups or agencies that have received approval from the State Education Department. Agencies or organizations wishing to offer a coaching program should make application to the Office of Curriculum and Instruction and mustreceive approval prior to implementation.
5.A list of the resource personsthat will be used(for coaching courses only);
6.A description of the evaluationtechniquesto be used.
7.Name, address, and emailfor each instructor you wish approved, plus the items under InstructorApprovals:
To have instructors approved to teach any of the coaching courses, please see the following list of qualifications necessary to become an instructor. Verification of these itemsmust accompanya request to have the individualapprovedto be an instructor:
- Head coach level – or currently in a Director of PhysicalEducation/Athletics position.
6) Knowledge and understanding of the NYSPHSAAHandbook.
First Aid and CPRinstructorsmust providethe following verifications:
Once the agency and instructors are approved, a course outline for each of the courses to be taught will be sent to the contact person listed for the agency. Certificates of completion for Coaching Courses, First AID and CPR will be provided for participants (photocopy masters) and approved agencies will be responsible to provide certificates of completionto participantsfor eachcoaching courseoffered.
Participant certificates will be provided by SED for all agencies approved to teach the courses. An original photocopy of the certificates will be sent to the Point of Contact upon approval. These certificates must be used to provide evidence of course completion to the BOCES Certification Units and the Directors of Physical Education/Athletics where the individual is coaching. ONLY THESE CERTIFICATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE CERTIFICATION UNITS AS EVIDENCE OF COURSE COMPLETIONTHROUGHA NYSEDAPPROVEDAGENCY.
Send the above to: Associate in Physical Education, State Education Department, Room 320 EB, Albany, New York 12234 for an updated list. If you have questions, please send them viaemailto: firstname.lastname@example.com
Effective July16, 2009
Coaches of Interschool Athletic Teams
(7) Basic code for extra-class athletic activities. Athletic participation in all schools shall be planned so as to conformto the following:
(i) General provisions. It shall be the duty of trustees and boardsof education: (a) .....
(b) .....
extenuating circumstances may apply to the Commissioner for an additional extension of no more than two years to completecourse work.
professional coaching certificate. A professional coaching certificate, valid for three years, shall be issued to a candidate who submits a fee of $50 together with an application, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, which satisfactorily establishes that:
(iv) of this clause; and
This 45 hour course willbe taught in 15 sessions. Each session is three hours in duration.
The course covers basic philosophy and principles as integral parts of physical education and general education; State, local and national regulations and policies related to athletics; legal considerations; function and organization of leagues and athletic associations in New York State; personal standards for the responsibilities of the coach as an educational leader; public relations; general safety procedures; general principles of school budgets, records, purchasing and use of facilities. (Note: This is not a course in "athletic administration." In addition to first aid and CPR, this is the only course required for coaches of non-contact/non-strenuous sports: bowling, golf, archery, rifle, shuffleboard, tabletennis).
Health Sciences Appliedto Coaching(3 Credits – 45 Hours)
The course is a series of interactive exercises and activities designed to study Health Sciences as they apply to coaching sports. Through these activities, exercises and health application to coaching topics, participants will gain information, organize it for professional and personal use, and apply it to their particular programs. Health Sciences as applied to coaching will also help define: selected principles of biology, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology related to coaching; risk minimization; mixed competition; NYSEDselection and classification of athletes; age and maturityof athletes.
This 45 hour course is divided into three parts:
Part I - Philosophy, Physiology, and Psychology (9 hours)
Part II - Fitness, Conditioning, Sport Specific Training, Nutrition, and Weight Management (24 hours)
Part III - Current and On-going Health Issues and Administrative Procedures(12 hours)
Theory& Techniques of Coaching(2 Credits- 30 Hours)
This 30-hour course will be taught in ten (10) sessions. Each session is three (3) hours in duration. The first five (5) sessions will address the commonalities of all sports. Sessions six through eight (6-8) will deal with the coaching of specific sports. Session nine (9) will result in an internship experience in one specific sport as described below. Session ten (10) willdealwith the coach'smaintenanceof personalhealth and wellness.
The course will begin with an introductory phase in which the basic concepts common to all sports will be discussed. Topics will include a history of interscholastic athletics in New York State. The objectives, rules, regulations and policies of athletics, as well as performance skills, technical information, and organization and management practices will also be among the topics covered. The special training and conditioning of the athletes in specific sports, the fitting of equipment, specific safety precautions and officiating methods will also be examined. An internship that will include practical experience as a coach in the specific sport and/or periods of observing other approved coaches willalso be required.
SecondSport Certification
If a coach wishes to gain certification in a second sport while taking this course, he/she must meet additional requirements by completing activities in sessions 6, 7, and 8 for that sport. A second internship experience (Session 9) must also be completed for the additionalsport.
If a coach has already completed the Theory & Techniques of Coaching course for one sport and at a later date wishes to have certification in a second sport, they must completeonly Sessions 6, 7, 8, and 9 for that sport and not the entire course.
The following courses are approved as equivalent instruction for sessions 6-9 when requesting 2nd sportcertificationsonly:
Please print legibly or type all information. This application is a request for the State Education Department to give credit for equivalents to the coaching courses required by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Section 135.4 in lieu of attending courses offered by approved agencies.
Send completed form to:
PhysicalEducation,State EducationDepartment,Room320EBAlbany, New York12234
Name Address City State Zip Home Phone( ) - Work Phone( ) - (ext)
1.Doyouholda New York StateTeachingCertificate? Yes No
If Yes, in what subject? Type Effective Date _/ / Certificate Number
2.Are you currently employed as a coach? Yes No
If Yes, School Name Address City State Zip
Phone ( ) - Date appointed /_ _/_
Director of Physical Education/Athletics
Philosophy,PrinciplesandOrganization ofAthleticsin Education
Health Science Related to Coaching
Theory andTechniquesofCoaching(Sport):
List equivalents related to the courses below and attach copies of transcripts, course descriptions, clinicsattendedwith certificatesof participation,or otherverification ofequivalents:
A. Philosophy, Principles and Organization
B.HealthSciencesApplied toCoaching
C.Theory andTechniquesofCoaching(specific to the sport coached)
I declare and affirm that the statements made in the foregoing application, including accompanying statements and transcriptions, are true and correct.
Signature: Date: / _ /
Approved _/_ _/ Disapproved _/_ _/ Returned for Clarification / _/ Signed
Please print legibly or type all information. This application is a request for the State Education Department to give an extension of time to meet the coaching courses required by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Section 135.4. Send completed form to:
PhysicalEducation,State EducationDepartment,Room320EBAlbany, NewYork12234
(Last) (First) (Middle)
Address City State Zip Home Phone( ) __ _____ -___ __ _____ ____ WorkPhone( )______ ___-
1. District where you coach:
2. Director of Physical Education/Athletics:
3. The coaching courses completed and the agency where courses were taken: Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education:
Health Science Related to Coaching:
Theory and Techniques of Coaching (Sport):
4. Reasons for requestinganextension:
Plans for completing courses (indicate dates and locations): Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics in Education: Health Sciences Applied to Coaching
Theory& Techniques of Coaching:
I declare and affirm that the statements made in the foregoing application are true and correct.
Signature _Date: / _/
Approved _/_ _/ Disapproved _/_ _/ Returned for Clarification / _/ Signed
or per certifying agency requirements– NO ONLINE COURSES ARE ACCEPTED
*ADULT CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) – All cards must be renewed every 1-2 years per certifying agency requirements - NO ONLINE COURSES ARE ACCEPTED
SED does not require the following to have separate certification in First Aid to coach,
*For further clarification on other specific First Aid/CPR certifications not listed, please contact the Associate in Physical Education
AHA American Heart Association
ARC American Red Cross
ASEP American Sport Education Program BOCES Board of Cooperative Educational Services CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
EMS EmergencyMedical Services
FA First Aid
NFHS National Federation of High Schools
NSC National Safety Council
NYSAAA New York State Athletic Administrators Association NYSAHPERD
New York State Associationfor Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Inc.
NYSDOH New York State Department of Health NYSED New York State Education Department
NYSPHSAA New York State Public High School Athletic Association PCL Professional Coaching License
TCL Temporary Coaching License
Project SAVE Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act
(As provided for in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education - Section 135.4 (c) (7)(ii)B9)(3).)
NOTE: The State Education Department shall annually review the sports standards of athletic associations in order to insure that they conform to the intent of the Regulations and these guidelines.
Sports standards adopted by an athletic association shall conform to the following:
NOTE: It is recommended that an athlete finishing a strenuous or contact sport season and starting another be given a week layoff between seasons and adjustments be made in required practices forsuchcases.
All sectional post-schedule tournaments shall be approved by the local sectional athletic council or controlling body in which the schools hold membership. All other post-schedule tournaments shall be approved by state associations. (see p. 105)
Competition standards for each sport must be the same for male and female sports when the events and rules are identical, and associations shall make an effort to have these standards equitable whenever the events and rules are not identical.
Albany, NY 12234
www.highered.nysed.gov/cert/ospra e-mail: email@example.com
Tel. 518-473-2998
Fax. 518-473-0271
To: District Superintendents; School Superintendents; Directors of Charter Schools;
Non-Public Schools Fingerprint Contacts Private Schools Fingerprint Contacts
From: Deborah A Marriott
Manager and Associate Attorney Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA)
Subject: Fingerprinting Sports Officials Date: September 23, 2011
The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify and provide guidance on the topic of fingerprint supported criminal history background checks for sports officials, as mandated by the Schools Against Violence in Education ("SAVE") law, which was enacted in 2000 (Ch. 180, Laws 2000).
At the outset, it is important to note that it is the covered school's obligation to comply with the requirements of SAVE. Each individual covered school must analyze each employment situation to determine how to ensure that that employment situation complies with the fingerprinting requirement of SAVE. In other words, each covered school must ensure that the prospective employee, in this case - the sports official, is fingerprinted or meets a fingerprinting exception contained in the Commissioner's regulations at 8 NYCRR §87.2(k). "It is the covered school's responsibility to ascertain how to best meet these requirements and to implement an individualized plan that will ensure compliance. For instance, a covered school could choose to apply a fingerprinting exception, when applicable, to each employee or it could determine, in their discretion, that it cannot meet the exception's conditions for a particular group of employees and adopt a policy that requires that group to be fingerprinted prior to employment.
Specifically, with respect to sports officials, covered schools have advised that they are encountering the following recurring issues and are seeking an interpretation of the
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application of two exceptions provided for in the Commissioner's regulations. The issues for consideration are:
1. The complexity and cost involved in evaluating whether an official should be grandfathered for any given contest/year in a particular school district;
2. The complexity and cost involved in tracking the number of visits to verify that the 5- visit limitation has not been exceeded for non-grandfathered officials who have not been fingerprinted and cleared;
3. The real possibility that for any given contest, the official who arrives to work may exceed the 5-visit limitation due to the fact that there are many last minute substitutions of officials; and ·
4. The requirement to provide direct in-person superv1s1on of each non- grandfathered official while that official is on school grounds.
The exceptions to the fingerprinting requirements contained in the regulations are very limited in scope and cannot be "piggybacked" on each other. The exceptions are as follows:
"Grandfather" - allows an employee who worked in a school district in the school year prior to July 1, 2001 to be exempt from fingerprinting as long as he or she maintains at least one employment contact with the school district in each subsequent school year after July 1, 2001. A break of a school year means the exception no longer applies to the employee. Employees are grandfathered only within a district. The failure to work in a district during any subsequent school year would mean that the employee must be fingerprinted to work in that school district again. In other words, the employee needed to have one employment contact in the 2000-2001 and at least one employment contact every school year since then. Sports officials, who are grandfathered for one sport at a covered school in a given school year, are automatically grandfathered for all sports at the covered school in the same school year (8 NYCRR §87.2(k](3][ii]).
"5-Day Rule" - allows an employee who is expected to have no more than five days of contact with a covered school (not a school building and not per sport), to be exempt from fingerprinting as long as that employee has in-person supervision by a covered school employee who has complied with SAVE. This exception allows for a total number of contact days with a covered school for a school year (July 1 - June 30). It cannot exceed five. If an official works more than one sport, the total number of contacts days is calculated toward the 5-day rule, not the total number per sport. In other words, a sports official cannot work 5 days for one sport, and then 5 days for another sport (8 NYCRR
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Finally, covered schools, may not exempt an employee by using the "5-day rule" in the first year and then claim that they are "grandfathered" in the second year. The only employees that can claim to be "grandfathered" must have had an uninterrupted series of employment contacts since the 2000-2001 school years.
Generally no. It is, however, the duty of the covered school to ensure that the requirements of SAVE are satisfied. As was indicated above, a covered school can determine that it cannot meet the conditions of the exceptions contained in the Commissioner's regulations f o r a particular group of employees and adopt a policy that requires that group to be fingerprinted prior to employment. With respect to sports officials, a covered school could determine that it is too cumbersome to ascertain whether the "grand father" provision applies to each of the several hundred sports officials it uses in any given school year (prior to him or her providing services on- site) and, therefore, require that he or she be fingerprinted prior to employment.
No, a covered school can determine that it cannot provide in-person supervision for all sports officials when they are officiating sports contests and, therefore, the 5- day rule does not apply. If a covered school chooses to apply the 5-day rule to a sports official, it is the covered school's responsibility to ensure that the sports official: 1) has the in-person supervision required by the regulation; and 2) does not exceed the 5- day limitation. Employing an individual without in-person supervision or in excess of the 5-day rule, without completion of the fingerprint background check, does not comply with the Commissioner's regulation.
Yes, if the official does not meet a covered school's policy that reasonably complies with SAVE, the covered school is under no obligation to hire them. Sports officials may choose not to comply with a covered school policy that requires fingerprinting, however, covered schools are under no obligation to hire anyone who refuses to comply with the school policy concerning fingerprinting.
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The University of the State of New York The New York State Education Department Office of Curriculum and Instruction Albany,
New York 12234
February 2015
MERRYL H. TISCH, Chancellor, B.A., M.A., Ed.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York
ANTHONY S. BOTTAR, Vice Chancellor, B.A., J.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Syracuse
ROBERT M. BENNETT, Chancellor Emeritus, B.A., M.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonawanda JAMES C. DAWSON, A.A., B.A., M.S., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plattsburgh
HARRY PHILLIPS, 3rd, B.A., M.S.F.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hartsdale
JAMES R. TALLON, JR., B.A., M.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Binghamton
ROGER TILLES, B.A., J.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Great Neck
CHARLES R. BENDIT, B.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Manhattan BETTY A. ROSA, B.A., M.S. in Ed., M.S. in Ed., M.Ed., Ed.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bronx
LESTER W. YOUNG, JR., B.S., M.S., Ed.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oakland Gardens
CHRISTINE D. CEA, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staten Island
WADE S. NORWOOD, B.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rochester
KATHLEEN M. CASHIN, B.S., M.S., Ed.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brooklyn
JAMES E. COTTRELL, B.S., M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York
T. ANDREW BROWN, B.A., J.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rochester
JOSEPHINE VICTORIA FINN, B.A., J.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monticello
President of The University of the State of New York
The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services and activities. Portions of this publication can be made available in a variety of formats, including braille, large print or audio tape, upon request. Inquiries concerning this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the Department's Office for Diversity and Access, Room 530, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234.
Darryl Daily, MSEd Associate in Physical Education Office of Student Support Services
New York State Education Department
New York Statewide School Health Services Center
Karen Hollowood, RN, BSN, MSEd Associate in School Nursing Office of Student Support Services
Patricia Kocialski, MSEd (Retired) Associate in Physical Education Office of Curriculum and Instruction
Martha Morrissey, RN, BS, MA Associate in School Nursing Office of Student Support Services
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Information.................................................................................................... 3
Physical Education Director and/or Athletic Director............................. 5
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
District Medical Director........................................................................................... 9
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Athletic Placement Process (APP) is a program for evaluating students who want to participate in sports at higher or lower levels, as approved by the Board of Regents as a part of the school eligibility rules in 1980, and is aligned with Learning Standards 1 and 2. Commissioner's Regulation Section 135.4(c)(7)(ii)(a)(4)states:
A Board of Education may permit pupils in grades no lower than seventh to compete on any senior high school team, or permit senior high pupils to compete on any teams in grades no lower than seventh, provided the pupils are placed at levels of competition appropriate to their physiological maturity, physical fitness, and skills in relationship to other pupils on those teams in accordance with standards established by the Commissioner.
These standards state that students will have the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness, participate in physical activity, maintain personal health, and acquire both the knowledge and ability to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has collaborated with the New York State Athletic Administrators Association (NYSAAA), the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), the Statewide School Health Services Center (SSHSC), district directors of school health services (commonly referred to as medical directors and previously known as school medical officers), and directors of physical education/athletics to promote physical education and interschool athletic competition statewide. This guide to the Athletic Placement Process is the result of that collaboration.
This document represents the shared belief of the NYSAAA, the NYSPHSAA, medical directors, directors of physical education/athletics, and the NYSED that physical education and interscholastic athletic competition are important to the development of the whole child, and that students benefit when they can participate in such activities at a pace that is consistent with their physical and emotional maturity, size, fitness level, and athletic skill.
Schools, both public and private, competing in interscholastic sports under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner's Regulations may choose whether or not to adopt a policy that permits students in the 7th and 8th grades to try out for a high school team, or that permits high school students to play at the modified level. If schools choose to have such a policy, the process outlined in this document is to be followed.
Normally, a student is eligible for senior high athletic competition in a sport during each of four consecutive seasons, beginning with entry into the ninth grade. However, by satisfying the requirements of the APP, a student may receive extended eligibility that permits:
NYSED Athletic Placement Process 5
Last Updated February 2015
Students do not mature at the same rate, and there can be tremendous developmental differences between students of the same age. The APP is not to be used to fill positions on teams, provide additional experience, provide an opportunity for middle school or junior high students when no modified program is offered, or to reward a student. Instead, it is aimed at the few, select students who can benefit from such placement because of their level of readiness.
How to Use This Guide
The APP is a program that may be implemented at the discretion of local school districts. It is not mandated.
The APP is intended for use by student athletes in grades 7-12, and directly relates to specific interschool sport categories and levels of competition as follows:
Interscholastic Sports Categories:
Contact Sports
basketball, baseball, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, football, softball, volleyball, competitive cheerleading, and wrestling
Non-Contact Sports
archery, bowling, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, rifle, swimming & diving, skiing, tennis, track & field, fencing, and badminton
Athletic Competition Levels:
The main body of this document is organized to assist the medical director and the physical education director and/or athletic director in administering all aspects of the APP.
NYSED Athletic Placement Process 6
There is great diversity among student athletes throughout New York State. The APP was revised to assess a student's physical and emotional maturation, physical fitness, and sport skill, so that a student may be placed at a level of competition that should result in increased opportunity, a fairer competitive environment, minimized risk, and greater personal satisfaction. In districts that allow the program, safety must be of paramount importance.
The APP is to be used only when an individual athlete's athletic skills warrant moving to the commencement or intermediate sport competition level, and therefore, ideally, it should be initiated by the district's physical education director and/or athletic director and physical education staff, who recognize the student's skill. The APP may be used either prior to the beginning of the season, so that the student athlete can participate in the try-out period, or within the timelines specified by the NYSPHSAA Promotion Rule.
NYSED Athletic Placement Process 7
Physical education teachers, coaches, students, or parents/guardians may ask the physical education director and/or athletic director to evaluate a student, using the APP. Students will not be processed through the evaluation procedures without a request from the physical education director and/or athletic director and parent/guardian written permission. It is not the intent to evaluate all modified students, and evaluation should be considered only for those students with the appropriate physical and emotional readiness, and whose athletic abilities are outside of those of their age- related peers.
If a student in grade 7 or 8 has reached the chronological age of 15 years old prior to July 1, he or she is eligible to participate on high school athletics without undergoing the APP; only medical approval by the district medical director is required, as these students are already at an advanced age and would otherwise lose eligibility due to aging out.
A student who has undergone the APP does not need the procedure repeated if he/she achieved the required scores for fitness, maturity, and comparable physical size for the desired sport and level, regardless of the school year in which the testing was completed.
If a student has undergone the APP evaluation procedure and participated in the 7th grade, the process would not have to be repeated in the 8th grade provided they remain at the same level of athletic competition in the same sport. If the student changes levels or sports, the student's scores should be reviewed to see if they meet the requirements for the desired level and sport. APP evaluation procedures must be repeated only if the scores do not meet the requirements for the desired level and sport.
If a student has attained an appropriate level of physical maturity, and has a height and weight that are comparable to those of the proposed team members as determined by the medical director, they may proceed to the next level of skills assessment by the
athletic/physical education director. If the medical director does not clear the student to participate in the desired sport and level, he or she may not proceed any further in the evaluation process. Medical directors should not be pressured to change their decision. If a student is determined to be comparable with the physical size and maturity of the average age and sex of the students against whom they wish to compete, but fails to meet more than one of the physical fitness test standards, or if a student fails to meet an appropriate sport skill level as determined by the coach, he or she may not proceed any further in the evaluation process.
In conclusion, the district medical director and the director of physical education/athletics and ultimately the board of education ensure compliance with the APP. It is intended only for the student who is truly at a level of physical and emotional maturity, comparable physical size, fitness, and sport skill that is commensurate with the level of competition that they wish to pursue.
An athlete may not be approved to participate by the medical director due to health impairment and/or the student's physical maturation level. Whenever there is disagreement between a private health care provider and the district medical director, efforts should be made by both parties to come to agreement for the health and safety of the student athlete. In these cases, the primary concern should be allowing an athlete to participate to the fullest level of his or her potential safely, and neither the demands of parents, athletes, or coaches should confound that concern. However, Education Law, Section 3208(a) provides a due process procedure to students or their parents/guardians to petition the courts for relief from a school district's exclusion of the student from participation in an athletic program. In the event of such disqualification, school authorities should advise the parents and the student of the availability of this process. The court may then grant such a petition, if it is satisfied that it is in the best interest of the student and that it is reasonably safe for the student to participate in the athletic program.
NYSED Athletic Placement Process 1
The director of physical education/athletics has the responsibility of ensuring that the APP is followed by all parties involved; that the medical director is included at appropriate times; and that the final determinations are sent to the parents, competing school districts, and section executives. Students who pass all parts of the APP are permitted to try out. There are no waivers. A student must meet the appropriate standards of physical and emotional maturity, size, fitness, and skill, in order to qualify.
Step 1 District Policy: Confirm that the school district has approved a resolution to allow students to participate in the APP (and/or revise the language in existing "Selection/ Classification" policies to include the new process). If no such resolution exists, proper steps should be taken to ensure that this first requirement is met.(see Appendix A-Sample Resolution).
Step 2 Parent/Guardian Permission: All students who are to be evaluated must first obtain written parent/guardian permission before any evaluation may begin (see Appendix B).
Step 3 Administrative Approval: The athletic administrator should confirm that the student is suitable for consideration, which includes the likelihood that the student would play in at least 50% of the games. Additionally, because of the increased time demands of participation at the high school level, the student's academic performance (as determined at the local level) should be at or above grade level. Furthermore, administration should assess the student's emotional readiness to socialize with high school-aged students. If the student is not academically or socially ready, the student should not proceed through the APP.
Step 4 Medical Clearance: (Must be completed BEFORE the physical fitness portion of the process) The district medical director will determine a student's physical maturity level, and compare the physical size of the student in relation to that of the students against whom the student wishes to compete. If the student is determined to have attained the appropriate physical maturity level and comparable physical size for the desired sport and level (see Appendix C and H), the student may proceed with step 5. If the student is determined to not have attained an appropriate physical maturity level for the desired sport and level, the process stops.
Important Note on the Physical Maturity Examination: For the medical director, determining the physical maturity level of the student is an important step in the APP process. This is done to ensure that the student has attained a level of physical development at which the chances of growth plate or overuse injury is minimized. Since the growth plate is the weakest area of the growing skeleton, weaker than the nearby ligaments and tendons that connect bones to other bones and muscles, injury to a growth plate can lead to a serious and potentially permanent injury to a joint or long bone. While growth plate injuries are usually caused by an acute event such as a fall or a blow to a limb, they can also result from overuse, such as when a gymnast
practices for hours on the uneven bars, a runner runs long distances, or a baseball pitcher spends hours perfecting a curve ball.
Growth plate trauma and other overuse injuries may occur in competitive sports such as football, basketball, softball, track & field, and gymnastics. The likelihood increases when students are doing a single sport year round without substantial rest; therefore, caution must be exercised in determining the physical maturity of students at this age level. Developmental staging reduces, but does not eliminate, the risks of injury to a younger student moving up to sport activities involving more developmentally mature students. Since all growth plates might not be fully matured by the time a student reaches Tanner 5, care must be exercised in determining the physical maturity of athletes. The size of the student in relation to the other athletes is also a critical component in determining the risk of injury.
It is always best to err on the side of caution and keep a student at the age-appropriate level of play in order to safeguard the student. There will be many more years for the student to advance in athletics, and success is more likely if he or she does not suffer from permanent injuries.
Step 5 Sport Skill Evaluation: The sport coach will rely on past personal observations and may consider input from the student's former coaches to complete the evaluation. If the coach is unfamiliar with the student, the sport coach may wish to observe the student in a physical education class (see Appendix D).
Step 6 Physical Fitness Testing: This must be done by a certified physical education teacher who is not a coach of the sport for which the student will be trying out. The President's Physical Fitness Test has been selected as the test for this process, and the student must meet the 85th percentile level for their age in 4 out of 5 test components (see Appendix E, I, and J). For students trying out for swimming, see Appendix J for an alternate fitness test to the 1 mile walk/run- students trying out for swimming may choose to either do the 1 mile walk/ run or the 500 yard swim.
Exception to the physical fitness test requirement: Students who desire to try out for bowling or golf teams are not required to complete the physical fitness testing.
Step 7 Qualification Determination: The results of the three evaluations will be sent to the director of physical education/athletics. Only students who pass all parts of the APP are permitted to try out.
Step 8 Try Outs: The student is allowed to try out for the sport and level requested or the student must return to the modified level of competition. For students trying out for bowling or golf, see instructions for try outs for these sports in Appendix G.
Step 9 Records: The physical education director and/or athletic director must maintain all records of students who have successfully completed the APP. Items to be kept in the student's file are: Parent/Guardian Permission and Result letters; Maturity Evaluation and Medical Director Form; Physical Fitness results; Coach's Sport Skill Evaluation.
Step 10 Notifications: A Notification List (see Appendix F) of the scores of all athletes who have successfully completed the process and have been approved through the APP after the try-out period has been completed must be sent to:
Process stops if student is not approved by the medical director
Process stops if student fails more than one component of the fitness test
The director of school health services, commonly referred to as the medical director, (also known as the medical officer, or the school or district medical director) must approve a student's participation in interscholastic athletics [8NYCRR 135.1(7)(i)]. The medical director, who is a physician, or a nurse practitioner employed by the district has the responsibility of ensuring that all students who enter into the school's interscholastic sport program are physically able to participate in the sport of their choosing. Special attention must be given to students in grades 7 and 8 who wish to move up to a higher level of competition. Students in grades 9-12 may qualify to move to a lower level of competition. This section will provide guidance for making the decision to allow younger students the opportunity to play at a higher level, or older students to play at a lower level, provided that they have the physical maturity, comparable physical size, fitness levels, and sport skill to do so safely and with success. Prior to being sent to the medical director, students are required to have written parent/guardian permission to participate in the APP, approval by administration to move to the desired level, and a recommendation from the athletic administrator.
The medical director will determine:
The medical director should take into consideration the height, weight, muscle mass and Tanner rating as compared to the other athletes he/she would compete with. For physical development and maturity, Tanner staging remains the least invasive tool to gauge a person's sexual maturity rating as an indicator of physical maturation. Best practice, therefore, would dictate that the medical director use the Tanner Rating Scale and compare the developmental level of the student to the average Tanner level of students playing the sport at the desired level. The medical director may conduct the Tanner Rating examination him/herself with the prior informed consent of the parent/guardian and of the student. The school must make provisions that allow for a private, dignified, chaperoned examination, with a parent/guardian present if he/she and the student so desire. Alternatively, the medical director may decide to use, but is not obligated to use, the Tanner rating provided by a private medical provider. Additionally, for girls giving a history of having gone through menarche, assigning a Tanner rating of five without a physical examination may also be done at the professional judgment and discretion of the medical director, if the history given is consistent with observation of body appearance while clothed. Since a Tanner Rating
requires an intimate examination, it is essential that school districts create a sound protocol with simple and
clear information for parents/guardians and students to understand what is required during an examination and whether private medical provider assessments, or a student or parent/guardian reported history of menarche are acceptable.
For physical size comparability, the medical director should have access to the current height and weight of the student, and compare that with the size of the average age and sex of the students against whom they wish to compete. Growth charts are the easiest method of accomplishing this. For consistency, it is recommended that the following growth charts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are used. (see the following page)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Growth Charts: Boys:
http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/data/set2clinical/cj41l071.pdf Girls: http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/data/set2clinical/cj41l072.pdf
The medical director will clear the student to continue the APP if:
The process stops if a student is not at a comparable physical maturity level or physical size in relation to the average age and sex of the students against whom he or she desires to compete, as determined by the medical director. The medical director does not need to do anything more than return that information to the physical education director and/or athletic director (see Appendix C). In cases where the medical director's determination differs from that of a private medical provider, there should be communication between the two to determine the best decision for the student in question. If there can be no consensus between the medical director and the private provider, the medical director's determination is final. It is advisable that the medical director complete his or her own examination of the student in such cases.
*Important Note on the Physical Maturity Examination: For the medical director, determining the physical maturity level of the student is an important step in the APP. This is done to ensure that the student has attained a level of physical development at which the chances of growth plate or overuse injury are minimized. Since the growth plate is the weakest area of the growing skeleton, weaker than the nearby ligaments and tendons that connect bones to other bones and muscles, injury to a growth plate can lead to a serious and potentially permanent injury to a joint or long bone. While growth plate injuries are usually caused by an acute event, such as a fall or a blow to a limb, they can also result from overuse, such as when a gymnast practices for hours on the uneven bars, a runner runs long distances, or a baseball pitcher spends hours perfecting a curve ball. Growth plate trauma and other overuse injuries may occur in competitive sports such as football, basketball, softball, track & field, and gymnastics. The likelihood increases when students are doing a single sport year round without substantial rest; therefore, caution must be exercised in determining the physical maturity of students at this age level. Developmental staging reduces, but does not eliminate, the risks of injury to a younger student moving up to sport activities involving larger and more developmentally mature students. Since all growth plates might not be fully matured by the time that a student reaches Tanner 5, care must be exercised in determining the physical maturity of athletes. It is always best to err on the side of caution and keep a student at the age-appropriate level of play in order to safeguard the student.
WHEREAS, Section 135.4(c) (7) (ii) (a) (4) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education provides for a board of education to permit pupils in grades no lower than seventh grade to compete on interscholastic athletic teams organized for senior high school pupils, or senior high school pupils to compete on interscholastic athletic teams organized for pupils in the seventh and eighth grades; and
WHEREAS, these pupils are to be allowed to compete at levels that are appropriate to their physical maturity, physical fitness, and sport skills in relationship to other pupils in accordance with the standards established by the Commissioner of Education; and
WHEREAS, the State Education Department issues the competition standards for these pupils to compete under a program called the Athletic Placement Process;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the (name of school district) Board of Education shall permit pupils to compete after successfully completing the Athletic Placement Process for the requested sport and level.
1 Districts may be more restrictive than the Commissioner's Regulation, but not less restrictive. If any limitation is to be placed on the Athletic Placement Process (example: specific sports or specific levels), it shall be specified within the content of the Board of Education resolution.
NYSED Athletic Placement Process Last Updated February 2015
(Copy Letter onto District Letterhead)
PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION (Page 1 of 2)
Dear Parent/Guardian:
There is a New York State Education Department (NYSED) program that permits physically and emotionally appropriate students to try out for an athletic team that is outside of their grade placement. It is called the Athletic Placement Process (APP).
Your child (name): may be eligible to participate in the sport of outside of his or her normal grade level. In order to establish the appropriate eligibility, we must have your permission to begin the APP.
This evaluation is a comprehensive evaluation of your child's emotional and physical maturity (including height and weight); as well as athletic abilities, physical fitness, and sport-specific athletic skill in relationship to other student athletes at that level.
Physical maturity is determined by the district medical director during a physical exam, using the Tanner Scale. The Tanner Scale requires the inspection of the entire body, including the breasts and genitals. The district does/does not accept Tanner ratings from private medical providers. The district does/does not accept a history of menarche for girls in place of a physical examination. Upon passing the medical clearance, the student may proceed to the physical fitness and skill assessments. Students must pass all levels in order to meet the requirements of the APP.
If your child successfully meets the requirements of the APP, he/she will be allowed to try out for competitive high school athletics during 7th and/or 8 t h grade(s), or compete at the modified level if in grades 9-12. Under normal circumstances, a student is eligible for senior high school athletic competition in a sport for only four consecutive seasons, beginning with the student's entry into the ninth grade. However, by meeting the Athletic Placement Process requirements established by NYSED, your child's eligibility can be extended to permit:
It is important for you and your child to understand that, once the requirements are met and if he/she is accepted as a member of the team, he/she cannot return to a lower-level team (modified) in that sport in that season. Remember, at the higher level of play your child will be exposed to the social atmosphere that is common among older students in a high school environment. Therefore, it is important to take into account your child's ability to handle the additional demands.
Please feel free to contact me regarding this program or to discuss any aspect of your child's athletic placement. If you agree to allow your child's participation in this program, please sign and return the parental permission form to my office.
Physical Education Director and/or Athletic Director
(Copy letter unto District Letterhead)
PARENT/GUARDIAN STATEMENT (Page 2 of 2)
I have read the attached letter and I understand the purpose and eligibility implications of the Athletic PlacementProcess.
My son/daughter (name):
my permission to undergo the evaluation process and to participate in this program. I understand that the determination of physical maturity is a private examination involving inspection of breasts and genitals and will be done by a licensed school health professional, and I give my permission for the examination. Upon passing the medical clearance, he/she may proceed to the physical fitness and skill assessments. I understand that passing the evaluation process does not guarantee my child a position on a team, but only permits them to try out.
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Student's Name Grade
Home Address
Date of Birth / / Age
Gender: q Male q Female
Parental/Guardian Permission Form Received: q Yes Date Received
Desired Level: q Varsity q Jr. Varsity q Frosh q Modified
Desired Sport: *Recommended Tanner Rating for
this sport and level ___________________* See Appendix H SCREENING PROCEDURES- THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE DISTRICT MEDICAL DIRECTOR (OR BY PRIVATE MEDICAL PROVIDER FOR REVIEW BY THE DISTRICT MEDICAL DIRECTOR IF PERMITTED)
1 2 3 4 5
Student is q cleared q not cleared for the sport of:
at the following level: q Modified q Freshman q Junior Varsity q Varsity
District Medical Director
Coach Sport & Level /
Student's Name Gender: q M q F Age
The above-named student has requested evaluation through the Athletic Placement Process. As the coach of the team for which they want to try out, your complete assessment of his/her skill level is an important factor in this process. Please complete and return this form as soon as possible to the Director of Physical Education and /or Athletic Director.
The number of students who are allowed to compete outside of their grade levels should be few and far between. The program is intended only for the athlete who has the physical maturity, physical fitness, and sport skills to be placed with other athletes outside of his/her grade level. Abuses in the program by decision makers who seek to satisfy the needs of the team, rather than considering the well-being of the student cannot be condoned. There are many potential physical and social/emotional pitfalls that must be avoided, and once a student is elevated, the decision is irreversible. Please keep in mind that, until you are notified by the director of physical education's office that the student has successfully completed the entire Interscholastic Athletic Placement Process, that student may not attend any practices.
If you are familiar with the candidate, please write an evaluation of his/her skill level on the back of this sheet. Supporting information would be helpful in determining proper placement, so be specific. If you are not familiar with the candidate, you may wish to contact his/her former coaches for further assessment and/or schedule time to observe the student in a physical education class.
Which level team is the student trying out for?
Which level of play would you recommend for this student?
Compare this student's skills relative to other members of the team that the student is trying out for.
What percentage of playing time would you estimate he/she would receive at that level? _%
List or provide documentation (coaches' evaluations, previous playing statistics, etc.), of any evidence of sport skills in respect to playing at the proposed level (Modified, Freshman, Junior Varsity or Varsity level).
Coach's Signature Date
The student listed below has been approved to take the Physical Fitness Test. Please proceed with the testing as described in the Physical Fitness Test Descriptions & Directions in Appendix I of this document
Student's Name_
Gender: qM qF Age
Desired Sport Desired Level
Test Administered By Date
SHUTTLE RUN (nearest tenth) 1/10 seconds
Or SIT & REACH (feet and inches to nearest inch)
PULL UPS (# completed)
Or RIGHT ANGLE PUSH UPS (# completed every 3 seconds) STOMACH CURLS (one for each completed movement) number
ONE MILE RUN/500 YARD SWIM (minutes and nearest second)
Final Assessment: Student q passed q did not pass at or better than the 85th percentile
Signature Date / /
TO: q Executive Director, Section Date
Director of PE/Athletics
SUBJECT: APP Qualified Students: qFall qWinter qSpring
This is official notification that the following student(s) successfully completed the requirements for Athletic Placement Process per the revised 2014 guideline.
Curl Ups
Shuttle Run
Endurance* 1 Mile Walk/
Run (a)
500 yard swim (b)
Upper Body** Pull-ups(a)
Right angle push-ups (b)
* V- sit reach (a) Or
Sit & reach (b)
* Alternative 500 yard swim is only for students who desire to try out for swimming.
** Upper body strength can be tested using either pull-ups or right angle push-ups.
*** Flexibility can be tested using either the V- sit reach or sit & reach.
Note: Include the subscript of test completed in the score box.
(e.g. if completed 2 pull-ups, then report the score as a-2. a is the subscript for pull-ups, and 2 is the number of pull-ups completed)
YES NO If YES, Explain
Any 7th or 8th grade student may be given the opportunity to try out for a junior varsity or varsity bowling team. At the completion of the try-out sessions, which must include nine games bowled over a three-day period, if the individual's bowling average puts him/her in the top eight of your bowlers, he/she is eligible for the team.
Any 7th or 8th grade student may be given the opportunity to try out for a junior varsity or varsity golf team. At the completion of the tryout sessions, which must include 18 holes golfed over a three-day period (the first three days of the individual's tryout when the course is accessible), if the individual's golf average puts him/her in the top 8 of your golfers, he/she is eligible for the team.
Recommended Tanner Scores for the Athletic Placement Process
Approved Sports
Archery *
Badminton *
Baseball +
Basketball !
Bowling *
Competitive Cheerleading!
Cross- Country *
Fencing +
Field Hockey!
Football !
Golf *
Gymnastics !
Ice Hockey !
Lacrosse !
Rifle *
Skiing (Downhill) !
Soccer !
Softball +
Tennis *
Track & Field*
Volleyball +
Wrestling !
*= Non Contact
+=Limited Contact
!= Contact
Classification of Sports According to Contact (AAP)
NYSED Athletic Placement Process 25
Last Updated July2016
This activity measures abdominal strength and endurance. Curl-ups Testing
Here's what you do:
Instruct helpers to count aloud the number of repetitions.
"Bouncing" off the floor is not permitted. The curl-up should be counted only if performed correctly.
This activity measures speed and agility.
Be sure the participants understand the importance of running through the finish line. Participants should perform this activity on a gym floor or other appropriate surface.
Blocks should not be thrown across the lines. Scores are recorded to the nearest tenth of a second.
This activity measures heart/lung endurance.
Use a large enough running area so that no more than eight laps are necessary to complete a mile. Help participants learn proper pacing for the mile by having them run at the mile pace for short distances during warm-up time.
Always review students' health status before administering this test. Give students ample instruction on how to pace themselves. Allow them to practice running this distance against time, as well as sufficient time for warming up and cooling down before and after the test. Times are recorded in minutes and seconds.
This activity measures upper body strength and endurance.
Spend as little time hanging from the bar beforehand as possible because the extra time on the bar may reduce the number of pull-ups performed. Discourage any leg kicking or body swinging, as this may also decrease the number of repetitions.
Pull-ups should be done in a smooth rather than jerky motion. Kicking or bending the legs is not permitted and the body must not swing during the movement.
As with the pull-up, spend as little time in the starting position beforehand in order to increase the number of repetitions. Any extra movement may also decrease the number of repetitions.
Record only those push-ups done with proper form and in rhythm.
Right angle push-ups are a good indicator of the range of strength/endurance found in kids, whereas some kids are unable to do any pull-ups. Pull-ups remain an option for those students at higher levels of strength/endurance.
This activity measures flexibility of the lower back and hamstrings.
Participants are most flexible after a warm-up run. Best results may occur immediately after performing the endurance run.
Legs must remain straight with soles of feet held perpendicular to the floor (feet flexed). Students should be encouraged to reach slowly rather than "bounce" while stretching. Scores, recorded to the nearest half inch, are read as plus scores for reaches beyond baseline, minus scores for reaches behind baseline.
Legs must remain straight, soles of feet against box, and fingertips of both hands should reach evenly along the measuring line. Scores are recorded to the nearest centimeter.
Required for the Athletic Placement Process
Choose one1
Choose one2
# in one minute
in seconds
V-sit Reach in inches
Sit & Reach in centimeters
1 Mile-
Walk/Ru n min/sec*
Right Angle Push-ups
# every 3 sec.
*For swimming, see next page for alternative 500 yard swim scores.
1 Upper body strength can be measured by performing pull-ups, or right angle push-ups.
2 Flexibility can be measured by performing the V-sit Reach or the Sit and Reach.
The swimming endurance component of the physical fitness test allows the athlete to choose which endurance test he/she prefers. It will be necessary to choose one: either the one mile run (see Appendix J) or the 500 yard swim.
500 Yard Swim Time (min:sec)
Junior Varsity
These guidelines are issued to assist schools in the implementation of Section 135.4(c)(7)(ii)(c) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education which govern interscholastic competition involving members of both sexes on a single school team. The following general information should be noted by the school personnel who are responsible for the implementation of the Regulations:
The following chart indicates which regulatory provisions apply to specific sport and program offerings:
REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION SECTION 135.4(c)(7)(ii)(c)
a) Males on a female team
(Not applicable)
With approval of Supt. or Chief School Officer, Review Panel and Section. **
Sub clause (2) & (4)
Not Permitted
Sub clause (3)
b) Females on a male team
With approval of the Review Panel
Sub clause (2)
With approval of Superintendent or Chief School Officer and Review Panel.**
Sub clause (2) and (3)
a) Male on a female team
With approval of Supt. or Chief School Officer and Section.
Sub clause (4)
b) Female on a male team
No approval required
Permitted under Sub clauses (1),
(3) and (4)
With approval of Superintendent or Chief School Officer
**This order of approvals is recommended so as to avoid the unnecessary formation of a review panel in cases where the superintendent or chief school officer does not wish to approve the student for mixed competition.
Upon a request to the school authorities for a pupil to participate in mixed competition, as provided in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, a review panel shall be formed. The Director of Physical Education should coordinate the activities of the review panel. The information reported on the form, ATHLETIC PROFILE FOR MIXED COMPETITION, shall be used by the review panel in making a determination.
Part I: School Information
Part II: Pupil Information
Part III: Physical Education and Medical History
Part IV: Physical Data
The developmental age or maturity level of the pupil can be established by using the Developmental Screening Procedures used in the Athletic Placement Process for Interscholastic programs (APP) (See February 2015 APP: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/pe/documents/AthleticPlacementProcess2-11- 15Revised.pdf).
Note: For modified students, please see Appendix B in the Mixed Competition Guidelines for recommended Tanner scores.
Part V: Athletic Performance Testing (Fitness)
Part VI: Panel Decision
PART I: School Information Date: _
District Superintendent
City _ Director of P.E.
School Physician
Family Physician
Physical Education Teacher
PART II: Pupil Information
Previous mixed competition YES NO
What sport and level?
Name Age Grade
Sport and level being requested?
PART III: Physical Education and Medical History
Is the pupil enrolled in regular physical education without restrictions?
YES NO If NO, Explain
History of conditions, injuries or illness that would be restricting?
PART IV: Physical Data
_lbs Height
Maturity Level (see Appendix B)
Body Type (check ü) Mesomorph:
PART V: Fitness Test Scores
Curl-Ups: Upper Body (Pull-ups or Pushups) Shuttle Run: Flexibility: _ Endurance:
1 mile run Or 500 yard swim
PART VI: Panel Decision
Approved for try out: YES NO
Panel Members:
School Physician (print or type name) Signature
Physical Education Teacher (print or type name) Signature
Family Physician (print or type name) (or other appointee)
Signature _
Benchmarks as provided by
the Presidents Council Fitness Test at the 50th percentile: See: https://www.presidentschallenge.org/ challenge/physical/benchmarks.shtml
The standards are based on the 50th percentile for a 13 year old (modified), 15 year old (freshman/JV), and a 16 year old (Varsity).
Curl- Ups
Sit and Reach
1 mile walk/run
Right Angle Push- Ups
The swimming endurance component of the physical fitness test allows the athlete to choose which endurance test he/she prefers. It will be necessary to choose one: either the one mile run or the 500 yard swim.
New York State Public High School Athletic Association
8 Airport Park Boulevard, Latham, NY 12110
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text:
BenchVent BV1000
Product Code: BV1000
Availability: 10 - 14 days
Ex Tax: £1,175.00
BenchVent BV1000
The BV1000 Salon Tanning Mist Filtration Booth from BenchVent designed to ensure beauty salons and spray tanning shops stay overspray and fume free for a cleaner and healthier working environment.
What's included with the BV1000 Spray Tan Booth?
- Filter unit with fan(s)
- Aluminium coated side panels
- Foot Switch
- Particulate filter
- Fibre pad filter
- Floor mat
- Power Lead
- Data/Warranty Booklet
How does the BV1000 help with Salon Fume Extraction?
The BV1000 spray shield vastly reduces overspray and particle deposits; this is essential for a clean, healthy salon environment. It's been designed to be used in a range of salons and is equally at home in smaller establishments as well as busy salons with a high volume of spray tans carried out on a daily basis. The unit is ideally suited for positioning in a corner to maximise space.
Download the datasheet for more information: BV1000 Datasheet
Key Features
- 3 powerful fans which will remove overspray from over 60 tans per hour!
- Space saving design
Why purchase a BV1000 Spray Tan Extraction Booth?
All BenchVent spray tanning filtration and extraction systems carry a lifetime warranty, are quiet in operation and can be used in even the most demanding of salon environments. It's space saving design means this free standing tanning booth can be sited in beauty room corner. Once power cables are connected the booth is simply switched on and off via a latching footswitch.
How does it filter spray tan overspray and particulates?
The particulate (intake) filter is a three stage graduated fibre filter with a high 'dust' holding capacity for long life and it able to filter to 5 micron particles. NB: Spray particulate sizes vary from 10 to 20 microns. The final filtration stage absorbs any residual moisture. Through the process of filtration, absorption and dilution, technician / beauty therapist and client exposure to airborne tanning overspray is vastly reduced and general salon cleanliness hugely enhanced.
And remember demonstrating adequate control of the risks to the health of employees and customers in a salon environment; from dusts, powders, mists, fumes and vapours is the fundemental requirement of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH).
|General Specification
|1400x1850x800 (wxhxd)
|Steel construction of central filtration tower, finished in black powder coating and complete with materials storage cabinet -- particulate and moisture filters - incorporating 3 x external rotor motor axial fans, brushless, UL, VDE and CSA approved - sealed electrical wiring and external foot operated switch – frosted translucent side panels - ribbed rubber mat.
|Technical Specification
|Air Volume at Free Air
|Ave. Air Velocity at Filter Face
|Fan Motor Spec
|230V 50Hz 120W
|Overspray Filter: IFA1T
|Noise Level LAeq dB(A)
Write a reviewYour Name:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Experience interactive 90 minute, half-day or full-day events that inspire and equip students, educators, mentors and parents. We also offer a variety of resources for the parents, teachers, coaches and mentors who shape their lives.
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Today, it isn't enough to offer a one-time leadership training event. Leadership development must be ongoing and organic, flowing from the very culture of the campus or organization.
Growing Leaders provides character and leadership training resources created specifically for Generation Y. Each resource is designed to help students discover their purpose, equip them for leadership, and prepare them to use their gifts to serve the world around them.
National Leadership Forum
Growing Leaders partners with a select group of organizations who are equipped and licensed to offer Habitudes training and resources in their country.


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The indispensable, must-have guide for anyone looking to gear up and start pedaling Bicycling is undergoing a renaissance in this country as millions of people are taking to the streets in this nostalgic, beloved pastime. From purchasing one's first bike to learning all of its different components, The Bicycling Big Book of Cycling for Beginners is the go-to guide for any beginning cyclist's collection. The vast territory of cycling and its facets will become a welcome terrain for any rider who wants to ride smarter, faster, and safer with this incredible wealth of knowledge. As the sales of new bicycles increase every year, these helpful tips and know-hows will educate and inform beginning cyclists to perform to one's maximum potential, all while having fun on the bicycle. Trusted bicycle consultant Tori Bortman distills the essentials every beginner cyclist needs to know. She covers different types of rides, the components of bicycles, proper cycling clothing and equipment, basic road skills, nutrition, training, maintenance, and how to ride with a cause. She also explores how to approach cycling from the conceptual beginnings into tangible, real-time facts about riding as a new cyclist, as well as elaborating on the bountiful health benefits of cycling from weight-loss, cardio, stress-reducing, and immunity-boosting perspectives. This is the ultimate guide to bicycling knowledge for beginning cyclists.This is the ultimate guide to bicycling knowledge for beginning cyclists.
|The Bicycling Big Book of Cycling for Beginners
|Tori Bortman
|Rodale - 2014-06-03
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text:
A construction project to repave Illinois Route 83 in Willowbrook this summer has been suspended due to a lack of state funding.
Village Administrator Tim Halik said he was caught by surprise.
"I guess we have no choice but to wait a few more years," he said.
The state notified the village last year that the repaving would be done from the Cook County line to Knollwood Road near 63rd Street this summer. But the state recently determined that the surplus of funds to pay for it was no longer there and removed the project from its construction list, Halik said.


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Things got even uglier Thursday in the bitter war of words between Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell. The Donald called the Los Angeles-based morning show Good Day L.A. to sound off on O'Donnell's remarks about his near-firing of Miss USA Tara Conner.
NEW YORK (AP) – Things got even uglier Thursday in the bitter war of words between Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell. The Donald called the Los Angeles-based morning show "Good Day L.A." to sound off on O'Donnell's remarks about his near-firing of Miss USA Tara Conner.
"Maybe she wanted to put the crown back on Miss USA's head," the real-estate mogul said of the openly gay O'Donnell, who has four children with her partner, Kelli. "I think she's very attracted to Miss USA so she probably wanted to put the crown on her head herself."
Insult No. 2: "She is a very, very unattractive woman who really is a bully."
Insult No. 3: "Ultimately, Rosie is a loser, and ultimately ("The View") will fail because of Rosie. … Barbara (Walters) made a mistake and let me tell you something, Barbara's a good friend of mine. She cannot stand Rosie O'Donnell."
It all started when O'Donnell, co-host of the ABC morning talk show "The View," blasted Trump on Wednesday's show.
She said Trump's news conference with Conner, whose title was in jeopardy because of underage drinking, had annoyed her "on a multitude of levels" and that the twice-divorced Donald had no right to be a "moral compass" for the beauty queen.
"He inherited a lot of money," she said. "Wait a minute, and he's been bankrupt so many times where he didn't have to pay. … I just think that this man is sort of like one of those, you know, snake oil salesmen in 'Little House on the Prairie.'"
Trump fired back later Wednesday in a TV interview, calling O'Donnell a "slob," among other insults. "I never went bankrupt, but she said I went bankrupt. So probably I'll sue her because it would be fun.
An amused O'Donnell talked about Trump's comments with her co-hosts on Thursday's edition of "The View."
"Wasn't that a fun night of viewing? … Look who's here today: Kelli. I was afraid to leave her home in case somebody with a comb-over came and stole her from me," she said.
In an entry posted Wednesday night on her Web site, O'Donnell duplicated an excerpt on Trump's rocky financial history from his biography on the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, which is written by users. She wrote: "i will let you know if the donald sues me/or if kelli leaves me for one of his pals/don't u find him charming."
Walters, who created the "The View," and executive producer Bill Geddie are standing by O'Donnell – and Trump.
"Both Rosie and Donald are high-spirited, opinionated people. Donald has been a friend of 'The View' for many years and Rosie, of course, is our enormously popular moderator. We cherish them both and hope the new year brings calm and peace," they said Wednesday in a statement.
Trump, owner of the Miss Universe Organization, which includes Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, said Tuesday at a news conference that he would allow Conner to keep her title if she settled down and entered alcohol rehab.
Conner tearfully admitted drinking as a minor at New York nightclubs. She turned 21 a day before the news conference.


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SLAM! Sports
SLAM! Wrestling
Monday, November 22, 1999
The Rock's a riot in Montreal
This past Sunday, at the Montreal Molson Centre, the WWF was in full force, short only Steve Austin as a result of the previous weekend's attempted vehicular homicide.
Now, I don't think there's even one other re-capper out there who cares, but to me, the atmosphere of a wrestling show counts just as much as it does at a hockey or baseball game. For example, nice as it is, a baseball game at the SkyDome just isn't the same as a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. To be fair, though, both experiences top a game at my local ballpark, the Big O, but you probably didn't need me to tell you that. Equally, one of the reasons the Olympic Stadium bites so much is that between fifty and sixty people show up to watch our Expos play.
But that's another story. The setting was the Montreal Molson Centre, a nice and new, but still classy arena in the heart of downtown Montreal. None of the top grey seats were even offered, but everything else seems to be pretty much sold out. My initial estimate was about fifteen thousand, and The Rock would agree with that figure later on.
The atmosphere was a fun one. Absent were the laser pointers, I'm happy to say, and I think most Montrealers have started to realize that if the show isn't televised, not many people will see their signs, and that it may be best to leave them at home. As a result, the few people who did have signs made more of an impact, with individual wrestlers reacting to each.
The crowd was very pro-Rock, as if that needed to be said, but they chanted his name before every single match, and almost seemed to boo when anyone other than him was introduced. The cheers surpassed anything I'd ever heard in duration and frequency, but the relaxed nature of the show made them dimmer than usual.
The show started with three incomprehensible French rappers, who someone decided would add something to the show. It didn't, and I didn't catch even one word from their 'song'. They say no publicity is bad publicity, but I didn't even catch their name.
The crowd reacted with chants of 'Rocky, Rocky.'
Opening match: The Godfather, who of course was booed until he summoned his ho's, delivered his new series of catch-phrases. Apparently he's pimping nation-wide, now. That's great. People neither booed nor cheered Steve Blackman, who looked even buffer and more boring than usual. He used some very cheap tactics, though, and insulted the fans and the city to get 'ass hole' and 'Blackman sucks' chants going.
It was a short match, and The Godfather made short work of Blackman with his new combination of a turn-about leg drop and Ho Train. Easy 1-2-3.
The next match saw Prince Albert take on Sean Stasiak, and I swear, it wasn't that bad. Sort of a nothing match, and there were a few mistakes, but it wasn't boring. Nonetheless, the crowd chanted 'boring.' If nothing else, pro wrestling teaches us speech in unison. Prince Albert won with his finishing move, the airplane spin driver, whatever it's called.
Two more 'Rocky' chants later, the crowd was disappointed to discover that The Rock would not be fighting until much later in the card. They would be disappointed to discover this before each and every match.
D-Lo Brown, though, would have to do, in his match against The British Bulldog. In a strange coincidence, the Bulldog mirrored a match I'd seen him fight against Bob Backlund years ago, in which there was no action for the first ten minutes as they stalled. It worked here, too, and I'd also call this one of the worst matches I've had the pleasure of seeing live. The only highlight was Bulldog pointing out a rather plump guy with a sign that read 'Mr. McMahon: I want to be a wrestler' and mocking him, then going down to near where the man was sitting and taunting him some more. Oh yeah, the match. D-Lo misses a splash, resulting in an Oklahoma slam and a win for the Bulldog.
The fourth match of the night pitted Val Venis against Test, both of whom got a good face pop. I found myself surprisingly excited to hear Test's entrance music, his push must be rubbing off on me. They fought a really great, fast-paced match, which ended with Venis knocking Test out with a foreign object for the pin.
Following that, the match which I considered to be the highlight of the night and will probably, somehow, end up the subject of this week's column: Too Cool and Y2J grappled with Edge and Christian in a handicapped match.
Solid and innovative wrestling here, with the kind of combination between psychology and spots only really possible in tag team matches, combined with the entertaining antics of Too Cool and Y2J. Edge and Christian kick butt until the heels start using the classic 'double-team behind the ref's back to incite the victim's partner, who only distracts the ref further.'
Highlight of the match, perhaps: Scotty Too Hotty, who annoyingly bounces up and down on the bottom rope incessantly while waiting for a tag, bounces too high and falls to the ground. Fifteen thousand laughs ensue.
In the end, it would take equalizing outside interference -- in the form of the ninth wonder of the world, Chyna -- to even the odds and allow Christian to make the pin on Scotty.
Just as it had been in Toronto, the title fight took place next, in the sixth position on the card. This time, though. The Big Show decimated, er, fought the Big Bossman. Bossman's only offense was cheap and short-lived. He needs to cheat to make the match longer, not to win. The chokeslam is inevitable, even after Prince Albert interference. At least we got to see a Giant drop kick.
The seventh match, and second candidate for match of the night, was a four-way elimination tag team match featuring The Hollys, The Dudleys, The Acolytes, and Mankind & Al Snow. Prior to the match, there was some really sweet interplay between Mankind and a young lady who made a sign he called the best sign he'd ever seen, but which was slightly too vulgar to repeat here. Apparently, though I didn't catch all of this, she also made a 'Mrs. Socko' puppet, which he was more than happy to use for the match.
Great, great action in this match, including a really creative spot where Al Snow gets the Dudleys to bring Crash Holly into his corner, where he and Mankind position a microphone to amplify the sound of a Ric Flair-esque chop. Great stuff. Some really good two-man combos here, too. In order, Faarooq pins D-Von, Crash pins Faarooq w/Dudley assistance, and Al Snow pins Crash w/Head.
In the eighth match of the night, Kane reversed a Bronco Buster into a choke-slam to destroy X-Pac in about a minute.
In the second to last match of the night, The New Age Outlaws successfully defended their tag team titles against the Hardy Boyz. A slow match with some great spots, and a hint of Outlaw dissension at the end as Road Dogg said 'there are so many asses here, Mr. Ass, I don't think we need to see yours,' and left. We still got to see Mr. Ass' ass. Well, we had the chance -- not everyone took it.
Of note: D-X really isn't trying to be heelish, at least not before the match. Way, way, way too much catering to the crowd. Take a cue from Triple H.
In the main event, The Rock defeated Triple H, and with the help of Kane and Big Show, the rest of D-X, too. Rock Bottom, People's Elbow, you know the story.
More interestingly, since it was just a house show, The Rock was going to get right to the match without uttering a word, and the crowd booed him heavily for it. Boy, would it ever be easy to turn him heel. After the match, though, he did his usual spiel -- that is, until he heard someone near ringside chanting 'Rocky sucks.' An entertaining segment followed, as The Rock brought the guy to the ring:
'You paid for your ticket, so you can root for whomever you like, but you have the gall to chant Rocky sucks while The Rock is celebrating with the millions (and millions) or The Rock's fans without even introducing yourself?'
You know where that goes.
All in all, a good show. I can't help but wish that Montreal, which gets at least three house shows a year, and which supplies at least fifteen thousand people to each, would get better play with the live shows. I don't see why it wouldn't be possible to do a RAW in Toronto and a taping here or vice versa. I hope they do.
A good time was had by all, especially me, and I was really glad to just cheer and boo my lungs out for a change, instead of pondering the specifics of inter-federation politics for once. Woohoo! See you Friday!
Eric Benner's Columns: And Nothing but the Truth