New York High School Athletic Association Holds Winter Meeting in Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its Winter Executive Committee meeting at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs last week. The committee voted on numerous topics including regional rotations, rules, and championship host sites.

The Executive Committee approved an earlier start to the Fall 2025 season. The new start date will be August 18 for all sports.

NYSPHSAA has received support from the New York State Education Department for football to have a 16-week season starting with the Fall 2025 season.

Language in the NYSPHSAA Handbook was changed to allow foreign exchange students the opportunity to compete as student-athletes at the sub-varsity level

Visions Veterans Memorial Arena (Section IV) was approved for Competitive Cheerleading for the 2026-2028 championships; MVP Arena (Section 2) was approved for the Girls and Boys Wrestling Championships for 2026-2028; and Cicero-North Syracuse High School (Section III) and Icahn Stadium (Manhattan) were approved for the Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the 2027 and 2028 season, respectively.

For Flag Football, numerous new rules were voted on and unanimously approved for implementation, including a 14” length minimum of flags.