New York’s Section One Votes to Exclude Private Schools from Playoffs

On Tuesday, Section One of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) approved a significant change regarding postseason eligibility, passing an amendment that makes private schools ineligible for playoff competition. The decision was overwhelmingly supported, with a vote tally of 69 in favor and just 4 against, as reported in a press release.

This amendment will take effect beginning with the 2027-28 school year and will affect schools such as Nanuet, Albertus Magnus, The Ursuline School, Keio Academy of New York, and Leffell. While these institutions will not be able to compete in the NYSPHSAA playoffs, they will still have the opportunity to take part in non-public sectional postseason events.

Dr. Marc P. Baiocco, Section One President and Superintendent of Schools for the Clarkstown Central School District, emphasized the necessity of this decision, stating, “Section One did not take this step lightly, but the results of this vote make clear that our member schools believe change is necessary.” He highlighted longstanding concerns about inequities in the current system and the need for a more equitable postseason structure.

The amendment follows a trend within the association, as several schools, including Cicero-North Syracuse and Liverpool, previously shifted divisions to avoid consistent matchups against dominant teams like Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy. The implications of Section One's decision could prompt other regions in New York to reevaluate their policies on public versus private school competition.

As Section One Executive Director Todd Santabarbara noted, “While this vote marks an important milestone, it also begins a thoughtful and deliberate process for Section One.” The implementation delay until fall 2027 allows ample time for analysis and planning to ensure that the transition benefits all student-athletes and member schools.