Athletics News Archive 2020-21

Varsity Athletes Demonstrate Brain and Brawn

The District is proud to announce that 11 fall and winter varsity sports teams were designated as scholar-athlete teams by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for excelling in both their sports and in the classroom. The cheerleading team received the designation for both the fall and winter seasons.

To receive scholar-athlete recognition, a  varsity team’s average GPA for 75% of the roster must be greater than or equal to 90%. 

Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education Robert McIntyre said, “These student-athletes and teams work very hard throughout the school year and deserve to be recognized for their academic success.”

The following varsity teams received scholar-athlete status:
Fall: boys cross-country, girls cross-country, boys golf, girls volleyball, fall cheerleading and girls soccer
Winter: girls varsity basketball, boys winter track, girls winter track, girls bowling, cheerleading and wrestling

The District congratulates the student-athletes on this outstanding accomplishment.

High School Athlete Teams Designated Scholar-Athletes

The South Country Central School District and Bellport High School athletic department are proud to announce that the New York State Public High School Athletic Association has designated the girls varsity basketball, boys and girls winter track, girls bowling, cheerleading and wrestling teams as scholar-athlete teams. 

To acquire scholar-athlete team status, 75% of a high school athletic team’s roster must acquire a 90% GPA or greater during the sports season.

South Country Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education Robert McIntyre congratulated the winter athletes on this prestigious designation. “The student athletes have exceeded our expectations on the fields and courts, as well as in the classroom, during what has been a difficult year for all students,” Mr. McIntyre said. “They should all be proud of their accomplishments.”  

The smacking sounds of fist against ball resound through the Bellport High School gymnasium during the afternoon as girls volleyball team members, both varsity and junior varsity, hone their skills for impending competition. Under the direction of varsity coach Larry Auth and junior varsity coach Ellen Hoffman, the student-athletes have been participating in a soft roll-out of high school sports practices until the New York State Public High School Athletic Association gives approval for competition. 

Bellport Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education Robert McIntyre explained that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not yet approved sports that are categorized as “high risk,” due to the potential transmission of COVID-19. Volleyball, football, wrestling, basketball, competitive cheer and lacrosse are all categorized as “high risk” sports. 

“We can practice with restrictions but are limited in what we can do,” Mr. McIntyre said. “The athletes are extremely happy to be able to return to a sense of normalcy and to be able to work on their skills, even if they cannot participate in competitions at this time.”

When the governor announces the approval to play high risk sports, NYSPHSAA will then release guidelines to play during shortened seasons. If approved, basketball, wrestling and cheerleading will resume on Jan. 4. Football and volleyball would follow with the season commencing on March 1 and lacrosse on April 26.