The new school year brought expanded learning opportunities for athletic directors and administrative assistants under the direction of Rebecca DiSisto-Leslie, who joined Section One as Supervisor of Athletics and Physical Education in July.

The professional development began in September with the launch of a new series for athletic directors titled: “Game Plan: An Athletic Director Professional Learning Series.” It was the first of three sessions, with others set for December and March.

Section One has previously held a preseason workshop for new athletic directors, but the new series was designed to provide ongoing professional development and support as they navigate the increasingly complex and ever-evolving responsibilities of their roles.

During the first session, Executive Director Todd Santabarbara outlined the responsibilities of both Section One Athletics and the Center for Interscholastic Athletics. He aimed to broaden the understanding of the role SWBOCES plays in the day-to-day scheduling and assigning and payment of officials, along with the section’s role in overseeing compliance with NYSPHSAA bylaws and eligibility standards, and facilitation of championship events.

"We’ve seen a growing number of newer athletic directors across the region, and many tell us they feel overwhelmed and want more guidance, especially after that first year,” Santabarbara said. “That's where we, as a BOCES, can step in. By continuing to support them throughout their administrative journey, we help ensure they have a solid foundation in the rules and regulations that guide their work."

The professional learning initiative continued with a workshop for administrative assistants, who play a valuable role in athletic departments across the region. The section sought to extend support to individuals in these roles, and to help bridge any gaps between school athletic departments, SWBOCES, and Section One.

Attendees first received training on the section’s scheduling platform. They also broke into groups to discuss best practices among one another and with members of BOCES staff.

A second workshop will be held in January with topics based on feedback gathered from schools.

“We’re providing different ways that we can offer support for our member schools and their athletic offices,” said DiSisto-Leslie, who previously served as the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Lakeland Central School District. “Essentially, we talked about tips and tricks and how they can best navigate different issues and challenging situations.”

As with administrative assistants, future workshops will be shaped by feedback from athletic directors. The overarching goal is to provide them with the resources and support they need to be successful.

“A lot of what we are doing is trying to gear our professional development toward areas the schools need help in,” DiSisto-Leslie said. “We want to hear from the member schools and discuss the topics they find the most challenging to manage.”

“This series is designed to support athletic offices as they navigate the complex and ever-evolving responsibilities of leading interscholastic athletics,” Santabarbara said. “We want it to be a meaningful opportunity for them to learn from one another, build connections, and grow together.”