The NYSPHSAA has recognized Huntington as a School of Excellence.
The NYSPHSAA has recognized Huntington as a School of Excellence.

NYSPHSAA Honors Blue Devils as School of Excellence

July 28, 2023

The Huntington Blue Devil athletic program has been recognized as a School of Excellence by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. To earn this designation requires that at least 75 percent of a school’s varsity teams qualify for the scholar-athlete team award.

To receive team recognition, the squad’s average GPA for 75 percent of the roster must be equal to or greater than 90.00. Higher athlete GPAs can be used offset lower ones. However, only students with a 90 or above receive scholar-athlete pins, even if a student with a lower GPA was used in the calculation.

Twenty-five of 31 Huntington varsity teams used in the calculation garnered state scholar-athlete team award honors, qualifying the Blue Devils for the School of Excellence Award.

Huntington athletic officials credited the Blue Devil student-athletes and coaching staff members for being as diligent in the classroom as they are in the athletic arena. The group will now strive to attain School of Excellence status. That will require every Blue Devil varsity team to attain the scholar athlete team award.

“The School of Excellence and School of Distinction Awards exemplify the mission of NYSPHSAA, education through interscholastic athletics,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA executive director. “It is amazing to see the commitment to academic excellence from the schools, administrators, coaches, and student-athletes.”

The purpose of the School of Distinction and School of Excellence Awards is to unite athletic departments in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide academic honor. This year, 84 schools earned the School of Distinction Award and 219 schools earned the School of Excellence Award. There are more than 1,000 high schools in New York State.

To be eligible to receive these either of the awards, schools must submit an application following the spring scholar-athlete submission each school year. Winning schools will receive their commemorative awards at their local athletic director workshop this fall.