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Inside Rye Athletics with RCSD’s Athletic Director Susan Reid · MyRye.com Conversations with Doug French

• MyRye.com, Doug French: Welcome to the MyRye.com podcast conversations with Doug French. I'm your host, Doug French, former mayor of the City of Rye. This podcast is about the issues and the people that impact Rye, the Sound Shore, and the Westchester region. Our goal is to inform you about what's happening, who's deciding, why, and what's next on the local issues that matter to you all in 30 minutes. We are here every week from the MyRye.com studio. This week in conversation, Rye Sports. We'll look at it from the individual and the community perspective and we'll cover the Section 1 region, the Rye Way program, and what parents should know. Joining the conversation is Susan Reid, Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Rye City School District since 2020. Susan, welcome to my MyRye.com. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Thank you so much for having me, Doug. I'm excited. MyRye.com, Doug French: Well you were recommended as somebody to have on, so here we are. So to get our conversation started, so I played football at Rye Neck long ago, and I see they just beat Port Chester in football. Now in my day that never would have happened. So what is happening in the world of Section 1 sports and what are the different classes and how does that happen? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Sure. So the different classes have changed over time, probably in the last even fifteen years now, I would say. classes are based on enrollment. so school enrollments figured with what we would call well, our enrollment number specifically is your ninth and tenth grade, and the average of the two, which gives you your enrollment number. And that number is used within formulas within sports. so we have something called the six classification sports, and those are the sports that start with AAA and go down to D. So your soccer, your basketball, your baseball, softball. All of our other sports. fit into different categories like football. So football, as you know, we have AA, A, B, C, and D. There is no AAA because philosophically the state hasn't hit that number of programs in the state for it to have a triple A. So for example, with Long Island not being in the state championship, all of those schools in section 8 and 11 are not accounted for. So we remain a five-sport classification. So each committee State committee within that sport utilize that number and create what we call cut points, classification cutoffs, and we factor our number into that formula. So if anyone has interest in that, I know I share with our board of education at my budget meeting usually or an update, but the New York State Public High School Athletic Association website has all of that breakdown. MyRye.com, Doug French: So the sections are th it's a national designation then as well, not just New York, right? They have different sections across the Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: No, every state is different. so for example, Connecticut, that's right next to us, they have different classifications. It's very different. it's labeled different. Our state, for as big as we state we are as far as participation numbers go, we actually don't have as many classifications as some other states that are smaller than us even. But we're all under the umbrella of the National Federation of High School Sports nationally, and each state has their own state association. MyRye.com, Doug French: And so that changes year to year, so our schedule will change in terms of who we play. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Again. Correct. So locally in the section, we're split into conferences and right now our alignment document has us in three conferences, for example. And within those conferences, we have schedulers that work with the chairperson of that sport to develop a league structure. We vote on the league structure and our crossover games and then from there, whatever we have remaining, we go out to seek those other games. So case in point, we this past fall just finished doing our spring schedules. We voted On our spring schedules, and from last year, our schedules look a little different. So baseball is their league is class pure. So this year we're in a class pure league, but our crossovers are with Mamaroneck and Ketchum and bigger schools than us that reach AA and AAA because they're competitive in nature. So that can change year to year. basketball is a great example. Last year we were double-A. For boys and girls basketball, this year we're actually double A in girls and A in boys. So even in the gender, MyRye.com, Doug French: Interesting. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: it's different because it's based upon the number of programs in New York State. We are actually double A on the number for girls. So if we had one less accounted for student on the day of of enrollment numbers that came out, we would be A. So it's it is interesting and it can get confusing to the public, I know. MyRye.com, Doug French: Okay, and that varies across the sports as as you mentioned. So you wear many hats, you also have the leadership role with section one. Can you d explain that and some of the challenges and decisions you have to make? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Sure. Sure. So right now my current role is I'm the second vice president as an officer and I sit along the side of current president Marc Baiocco, who's the superintendent in the Clarkstown School District. Brian Piazza is the first vice president and Joe Sigillo is the past president. So as a governing body, when we sit with executive, usually we're the last so to speak committee to put our stamp on things that come up through the natural voting processes. The other role I have is the female representative for section one. And within that role I serve on the executive committee that meets usually fall right now, this week, October, February, and in May. And those meetings are at the state level here in Saratoga. And each section has two representatives that sit at the table and go. We go over discussion items. We hear from state chairs that will discuss a new maybe a rule change. and then we also vote on action items. So why that's important and where the work comes in with that is locally in our section, we discuss these actionable items and we make a vote as a section. So it's not Susan Reid voting, it's not what I feel, it's what our section feels. And tomorrow I'll be asked to cast the votes. for those topics on behalf of our section. There are anything from, like I said, from rule changes to where championship sites are, to approving cut point numbers and those enrollments. They run the gamut and those meetings are open to the public as far as anything that comes from it, the meeting minutes, et cetera, we share that back with our section and and educate our athletic directors. MyRye.com, Doug French: So most things, I'm sure there's politics in athletics, am I right? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: There it definitely can be because especially when you're voting on items that affect everyone across the state and geographically they may not have the same issues we have. So it definitely can can feel that way. MyRye.com, Doug French: I know Mark. it's interesting. He's a superintendent. He's not a coach, right? Or an A D. So it's interesting that he's Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah. MyRye.com, Doug French: also the co chair of of the committee, which is great. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah, he's great. MyRye.com, Doug French: what about what about rumors that I'm hearing? i you know, rumors like tr transfers and NIL, things like that are that are impacting the college sports. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Sure. MyRye.com, Doug French: Are they making their way to high school? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: so presently in at least in Rye we haven't had an NIL student to gain anything, particularly at this point, but we're prepared because at any time that could happen. And New York State was lucky we got ahead of it with NISVA and put into language to protect our students so that they could still benefit as long as they are not utilizing their school within anything that should come their way. So I haven't seen that yet, but we're prepared should it come transfers not really in the sense that Commissioners regulations and our NISVA rules are very specific to representation rules. So if a student moves into Rye, for example, and they would like to participate in sports at all, and they have participated at the high school level, whether they're in middle school or high school, I'm required to send a transfer and eligibility form to the section for approval for that student to participate at the varsity level. the sub varsity level, they don't need that, but we send it anyways because we don't know where that student could land. so we see a lot of people that will come in over the summer and register their child at Rye and that's a piece of that. So that's a checks and balances. It's very nerve wracking, I have to say, because if you were to participate with a student that that form was not completed, that student is considered an eligible student, and anything they've participated. In it creates a forfeit for us. So you can imagine the stress if that if that's not done correctly, the effects on other students as well. MyRye.com, Doug French: Sure. And NIL, for those that don't know, is name image likeness. And so you as an individual have the rights to that and but you can't use it to make money on the Garnets, the Rye brand, the Rye High School brand. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Rye. A hundred percent. MyRye.com, Doug French: you've also talked about, let's get into some of the the the program. you've talked about the Rye Way. what do you mean by that? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: So we have something called the Rye commitment that our Board of Education and has been big and supportive of that affects students, staff, administration, et cetera. within that, I would say the Rye way just it's hard to explain at times because when you're living it and you get to see the results of it, I feel very grateful and fortunate While we're successful in many of our athletic programs, at the core and the most, I think, fulfilling thing is seeing our students walk away with great memories. And that's not just on the field. I really strongly feel our community is just special. I don't even know how to explain it. So special when you see a community come out to support your students. And the community isn't just parents, it's people in the community that want to. Be involved, want to see what's going on in the world of athletics. They might have a passion for a particular sport. And to hear the kids, the kids will talk about that. Kids leave Rye and talk about wanting to come back and raise a family in Rye. And I feel like there's a piece of my world or our world in athletics that they've had hopefully such a great experience that that's a piece of their academic world. I also feel our students are very driven. when we say student athlete, you know, of course all athletic administrators want educational-based athletics to be that focus. But I can honestly say when I look at our students and the work they put in academically in the classroom, it's right up there with how hard and how much work they put in athletically. MyRye.com, Doug French: It's interesting talk about community. They say successful programs, sports and education or school districts, are the ones that create that sense of community because it really becomes integrated and and part of what every or everybody's striving for. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Agreed. MyRye.com, Doug French: I did have coach Dino Garr on an earlier episode and he talked it when you said commitment, one of the his key points that he makes is choice. You are choosing to participate. Once you do, you need to make that commitment. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Mm-hmm. MyRye.com, Doug French: I really like that lesson. so why does it work? It works because of the community and people feel part of it. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah, I would hope like the hard thing about athletics, right is there's a competitive nature to it. And you still want to have create a sense of belonging and inclusivity. And it's finding, I feel, like an individual student's niche and their passion, and directing and supporting them to find that passion, so to speak, I would say. And within that, we have obviously our educational, our district community or academic community, from teachers to custodians to Obviously, our administration, our board of education, all those people that are doing all those behind-the-scene things to create a great experience for these children. But when you step onto the field or when you step out into the community, it's the greater community that shows up for us and shows up for our students with that support. And it's a feeling, like I said, it's hard to explain, but you know, there are many times I will look after an event, look up in the stands or on the field with the community on the field and just smile Because unfortunately that doesn't happen everywhere. MyRye.com, Doug French: Yeah. And you're also getting other kids involved, so even if you're not in the arena y playing, you're getting other students to participate in in these events. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah, so we're open to anything, right? That works, that gives students choice and student opportunities. So presently, for example, this fall, we have about four consistent photographers that's created their passion. And so whenever they can be at events, we celebrate that, we support them with whatever they might need. as we move forward in certain sports to playoffs, there's specific rules for who can be on the field, et cetera. So we work that out to help support them with that. If students have interest in announcing, we would love to help support that. Our we have a new band director that is new to Rye Anthony Abate He just at a Rye Harrison game brought the band out. They had a wonderful performance and I'm looking forward to see what he continues with that with that group because the kids just crushed it. And again that's another you listen, you watch and it just makes your heart full. MyRye.com, Doug French: Was it the jazz band? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah, it was a compliment a larger group actually because we used to have the pep band and we haven't MyRye.com, Doug French: Okay. Yeah. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: had that this year but with the transition he wants to build it was pretty cool they played Kansas Carry on Wayward Son MyRye.com, Doug French: Very good. one of the things that I noticed at the at the Rye Lions Awards luncheon was the the bond between coaches and their Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah. MyRye.com, Doug French: athletes. Can you speak a little bit about your coaching philosophy and hiring and Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Sure. MyRye.com, Doug French: yeah. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: I got really lucky when I landed in Rye on so many levels, but we have so many veteran coaches that have again been part of the community but have created a culture and standards that anybody would want, you know, to coach their child. And it's obviously we have the success, but I look at in their interviews or when they speak about their student athletes, the passion they have, it's almost like it's their child that they're talking about because they take Such an interest in our students and balancing what they're going through because we know, especially at that higher level, they're going deep into the season, trying to balance athletics, academics, and many of our kids that obviously are seniors are worried about next steps in college, and that's a that's an added stress. So I feel like our coaches do care about our student athletes and want the best for them and. and work together to I feel support that bigger community picture. MyRye.com, Doug French: Yeah. And well it seems to be working because I th I think if I if my crack team got the research correct, you won the the Kerr Cup Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: sports writers. Yep. we heard over the summer that we were successful in that with the New York State Sports Writers Association. Yeah, it was pretty pretty exciting. Pardon me? MyRye.com, Doug French: And what does that represent? What what does that represent? The championships? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: yeah, so they look at who you know, your state championships, the number of teams that have made it to the state championship, your number of sectional and regional participants rather. So it's pretty neat. MyRye.com, Doug French: Okay, great. Congratulations. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Thank you. MyRye.com, Doug French: Let's hit some of the some of the stats what in terms of the size of the operation, the dollars. You know, so when Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah. MyRye.com, Doug French: you present to the board, how do you describe the program in terms of number of students, cost per student, whatever the metrics you use? Can you share that with the audience? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah. Sure. So We look at the number of students that participate, and I just actually briefly look to see what our enrollment. Our enrollment's around a hundred, or excuse me, eight hundred and fifty in the high school, nine through twelve. And right now in the fall, we have four hundred and thirty-eight students participating in the high school level. So looking at that number, that that is a a high number of participants, of course, which is great. So I like to highlight, like most of our kids are involved in something athletically. so usually philosophically we talk about that a little bit, but I like to break down the budget that I'm given with a cost per pupil. And the reason why I like to do that is we want to be mindful of balance, but we also want to be mindful of perception. So there are things that, you know, is a budget we pay for from everything from obviously basic equipment needs to transportation to officials to coach's stipends. entry fees, different things that each sport needs. However, when you look at the bigger picture, when you look at a sport, for example, like football, where we have almost between Varsy and J V, I think we were at like 98 students participating, versus, you know, a smaller team like cross country, the cost per pupil breakdown can look skewed depending on the number. Also dependent on like facilities. So for example, our swim team, we have we rent the pool at Mamaroneck so there's a cost with that. So I just like to break down to show that no one sport is more important than the other, but that the needs of the team are there within the sport. And once again, I'll go back to community because our community likes to give. maybe let's say wishes or wants, our booster clubs and our community come forward and help supplement things that aren't in our budget. So when you see, let's see, like a jersey, like the football team wears the jersey with their names on the back, that is because the Rye Football Association has donated money to the Board of Education and we accept that donation to pay for those jerseys so that the students can keep them. However, It's our responsibility to make sure they have a home and away uniform, a helmet, and proper equipment. So those extras sometimes I think it's a perception out there, maybe that this team team may have more than another. But in the reality, when it when you break down the cost per people, we work very hard at balancing the needs of all student athletes. MyRye.com, Doug French: And I would imagine the cost would range anywhere from two hundred per per student to two thousand, Rye? Depending on yeah. Okay. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yes, yes. And depending on the year, right? So when you take something, there was a year before I got to Rye they were doing some work on the softball field. So when you were looking at that, there was a spike in that over a couple of years because there was a focus where there was a need on that. Over time that would go back down and balance out. So it's also a year-to-year issue and depending on when you're if you're starting a sport or where you're at with that. MyRye.com, Doug French: Is there an aggregate number like total dollars or total percentage of the budget that you that you use as a benchmark? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: it's I do I don't actually because it's broken down depending on the sport. Like like my track and field, my wrestling, my cheer. They use a large amount of money in the entry fees because their events are based on entry fees. their equipment isn't as large, let's say, when you're looking at basic uniforms usually. I'll have coaches that are new say, Well, when they're doing their budgets, you know, do I have a number? And I'm like, Well, what What I'd like you to do is come up with your basic needs are on an annual basis so that we're keeping balance and then create things that you would like and that are maybe not necessary right now, but you would like to have, and then balancing the budget in a sense to see like, okay, Here are our needs, how do we sustain this? And to be, reflective of the taxpayer dollar, right? Like we don't need to overindulge. We want to make sure the kids have what they need. And if there's something that's a bigger ticket item that we look at spreading that over time to different sports. MyRye.com, Doug French: I used to hate that answer in corporate America. Yeah, tell us what you need and what's my number? it but it's the right way to do Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah. MyRye.com, Doug French: it. Bottom up budgeting, I totally get it. any real challenges when you look at at funding and that that type of thing? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: So I would say it is a challenge in the sense that we work really hard, I feel with our operations group, especially. Gabby Perruccio and Rob Gamigliano, who's our director of facilities, Gabby is our assistant superintendent for business, to come up with a scope and sequence on our facilities. So our facilities are tough because we don't have a lot of them, right? So we have the one multi-purpose field on campus and the softball field, and then we utilize the city's fields with through Rye Recreation And obviously at our elementary schools when we can. So we're limited with that a little bit. And then obviously, monies to do those projects where, you'll go to another school where maybe they have a greater amount of state aid and they're doing larger projects because they're able to do so financially. So we try to work with what we have in front of us. It was now, gosh, it all blends, but it's two years now where we were very fortunate when the taxpayers did a budget. override so we could do some work on our softball field, the wrestling room, and a new floor in the gymnasium. So we were very lucky to be able to do that with our funding. And those types of things pop up on us, over time and and trying to keep that sustainability of like the roof we just had done this summer and the over the gymnasium and things that maybe aren't so pretty like that everyone gets to see, but they're very important. MyRye.com, Doug French: right, right. Okay. I'm gonna take a quick pause so I can remind our audience. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah. Yeah. MyRye.com, Doug French: if you have a topic or a person you want to hear on MyRye.com conversations with Doug French, email me at French at MyRye.com or just tell me around town. Our guest today was a suggested Yes, then it's been a terrific Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Mm-hmm. MyRye.com, Doug French: conversation. we are here every week on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and YouTube. You can access that access that directly. I just helped the resident find the YouTube icon on their iPhone, go right into it, search for My Rye . com conversations with Doug French. Also, the the podcast, the Apple Podcast icon. Click on that and just search for My Rye . com local issues travel. like high school sports. These conversations do not expire. So please share, subscribe, or send a question for a past guest and we'll bring it back here. So with that, we have about five minutes to go and a couple of things I wanna hit on. one is just the makeup of the roster. How do you balance the demand of club and travel teams versus high school? And and I know that Three sport athletes are on board, but sometimes they want to specialize. So tell us about the makeup of the roster and how you balance those demands. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Sure. I think it really comes down to the individual athlete and what their passion is. we do have a few students that play that one sport and you might call it specialization, but because they're committed to it through the year. And we do have student athletes that run the gamut with three. And of course, I would love to have everyone experience, that multi-sport piece, but it really boils down to what the student really wants. What our job is. To do is to obviously create an educational environment that allows students to learn, grow, and have that success. As far as the outside, of course we want them to be able to continue their passions and support that, but we really work hard with our coaches and our families to know when you're in season, you're in season. So Outside, we support whatever you do, but during that our time when you sign up and commit, which we kind of used earlier, that commitment, that you are a Rye student athlete, you know, Monday through Saturday, whatever that may look like. what you do outside again, we support, but the interference, it can be challenging and I understand that. And sometimes kids have to make some tough decisions. You know, I hate to see that. But in the end, I think it helps them to kind of give them the opportunities that they want. But you know, even our students at play club will tell you they may excel and grow in club, but they're with our friends in the in the high school setting. They have opportunities to create memories with their friends, and there's there's great value in that, I feel. MyRye.com, Doug French: Great. what about athletes that want to look to college? Are there trends that you're seeing from high school athletes into college? I know I think you had about fifteen percent of the class actually commit to colleges. Can you talk about that? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah, it's really while that's not our ultimate goal in high school athletics, it is pretty special to see those kids commit to that high level. But I'm not surprised because if you look at our student athlete, not even about where they're going or their sport, that ability to continue to thrive and grow. It's special to be a student athlete at the college level. It's a lot of work. but we have many of our students that continue to excel. I would say try. Trend wise, you know, it runs the gamut really. Like it depends on the year in the class, on what the maybe the sport is. Like lacrosse has gotten very big as far as our student athletes committing. We have student athletes that verbally commit when they're juniors. that's been a common trend I've seen at Rye. as well as my other colleagues have seen. But what's really cool, I love celebrating. We have kids that will go on to do sailing, to row, to do rugby, to wrestle, to play football, lacrosse. Like we recognize everybody in that ceremony because it's important, even if we don't have that sport, that these are students that are going to the next level and working on balancing, their future careers in their academic pursuits and that very demanding collegiate schedule. MyRye.com, Doug French: Great, great. how do you how do you handle the the parent relationship though? Do you leave that to the coaches or hey my kid got cut or needs more playing time? How do you handle the parent relationship? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: I feel it, it and when I was a younger athletic director and I was new to the role, it was interesting because, you know, people talk about families and parents all the time being negative in some ways, right? Like, you must hate it, you hear from parents all the time. And I would disagree with that over time. I feel like while coaches have to work with the parents child, so it's important they have that connection, I feel it's just as important that I'm overseeing a larger department and there are children that I have that really relationship as well. So I'm happy to have conversations with families and parents and help them work through whatever their needs may be. So I love meeting with kids, not just on the issues, but just on positive things as well, like how I can support them better. And sometimes it's just it's navigating through the balancing of what they're doing. So I feel like the parent relationship with coaches is huge, but I hope that our parents will realize that I'm there to help support them as well. MyRye.com, Doug French: Great, great. So we're gonna move to our our final block, which is the our one word question, one word answer. Our last Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Sure. MyRye.com, Doug French: guest gave me five paragraphs. That's not how you play. Actually, I'm gonna say a word and you give me a word back. I'll accept, a few words, but still. So I've got about five Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: I'll try my best. MyRye.com, Doug French: or seven of these, so we'll just take one at time. challenge. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Motivation. MyRye.com, Doug French: Opportunity. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Memories. MyRye.com, Doug French: Sport. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Educational based athletics. MyRye.com, Doug French: Practice. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Commitment. MyRye.com, Doug French: Coaches. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Dedication. MyRye.com, Doug French: Parents. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Community. MyRye.com, Doug French: Athletes. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Mm. My mind goes in so many different directions with that one. Student. MyRye.com, Doug French: rival. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Harrison. MyRye.com, Doug French: And Rye? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Love. It's cheesy, but that's what I feel. MyRye.com, Doug French: Yeah, no, no, that's a it's a popular answer. So well Susan, thank you very much. It's been great to speak with you. Thank you for your commitment to the community and your insights and your expertise. is there a guess or topic you'd like to see on the podcast? Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Hmm. I feel like some of the people that you've mentioned that you've interviewed would be very interesting. I'm gonna go back and watch some of them now too. I can't think of anything specifically, but I think it's great what you're doing, because just the connections or conversations because there's so many things out in the community that people aren't necessarily aware of, they may have interest in. So I think the conversation and continuing it is great. I'm happy to always have conversation with anyone that wants to talk about something that I'm passionate about, especially, but there's so many layers and I feel like it could go on for hours about just certain topics related to sports. So yeah, I can't think of anything off the top of my head. I mean, I know our community is very supportive and there's a lot of good things going on and so just I say keep up the great work. Okay. MyRye.com, Doug French: Great, thank you. And just you can always email me at French at MyRye.com. related to your topic, we have had Coach Dino Garr on, and we also Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Well. MyRye.com, Doug French: to talk about really leadership, you know, not just about the football program, but about leadership Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yeah. MyRye.com, Doug French: skills. And Dr. Trisha Murray, we we've had on. Susan Reid, Rye Athletics: Yes. MyRye.com, Doug French: all Rye, thank you, Susan, and and to our listeners, you can find all podcast episodes, transcripts, local news, and more at MyRye.com. Please subscribe wherever you get your podcast and please spread the word as we build our audience. Thank you again for listening to the MyRye.com podcast, Conversations with Doug French. We are here weekly for thirty minutes and we will see you next week. Thank you.