Eastport‑South Manor’s athletics administrator, Patrick Hayes, reported to the Board of Education on Oct. 8 that the district ran 16 summer youth sports camps, drew 408 registrations and generated $40,800 for booster clubs, and that the high school received county and state recognition for scholar‑athlete achievement and sportsmanship.

Hayes said the one‑week camps ran four days per week for three hours daily and cost $100 per registrant. “It raised $40,800 to our supporting booster clubs,” Hayes told the board, adding that high school student‑athletes served as positive role models during the camps.

Awards and conduct
Hayes said the district was named a “school of distinction” for having 100% of varsity teams qualify as scholar‑athlete teams (teams with at least 75% of roster achieving a 90 GPA or higher). He also said the district received the NISPA Sportsmanship Promotion Program award and reported zero ejections or suspensions across varsity sports for the school year covered by the award.

New supports and pilot program
For the 2025–26 school year Hayes described a coaching professional‑development program (a 12‑week leadership series) and introduced a pilot program, Ambassadors of Compassion, intended to build resiliency and peer leadership among student athletes. Hayes described the program as small‑group, facilitator‑led work using short video vignettes and guided discussion and said teams would complete the sessions together in subgroups of six to eight students.

Board questions and logistics
Board members asked whether coaches would first complete the leadership series; Hayes confirmed coaches are participating and the program is being piloted with teams, using smaller subgroup facilitation for large rosters. A board member asked whether the program could be expanded beyond athletics; Hayes said it had been used successfully in other districts with honor societies and broader student groups.

Why it matters: Hayes framed the camps as both a community service and a revenue source supporting athletics, and he said the leadership and character programs aim to reduce disciplinary incidents and strengthen team culture.