Nearly 900 students participated in Shenendehowa Central School District’s fall athletics program this year, the district’s athletic director told the board Tuesday as members honored teams that won sectional, regional and state accolades.

The athletic director said 36 teams across 10 sports fielded athletes this fall and that “every single one of our varsity teams in the fall season met the requirements to be recognized as scholar athlete teams,” meaning at least 75% of each roster carried a GPA of 90 or higher.

Why it matters: The recognitions spotlight both competitive success and academic performance, and they preceded a public comment that asked the board to intervene in a separate dispute that could affect athletes in an ongoing winter season.

Athletics highlights: The board heard that boys golf finished 12–1 overall and won the section title; girls golf had a 10–4 season with senior Lilla Zivak advancing to the state championship; boys volleyball finished 23–4 and reached the state semifinals; girls volleyball went 21–7, were unbeaten in league play and finished in the state semifinal round; and girls cross country won its sectional and state titles and the federation meet, qualifying for Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon.

“We had almost 900 students involved with fall sports,” Mr. LaBarber, the district’s athletic director, told the board as he described the season and recognized coaches, teams and individual state qualifiers.

Public comment on hockey: At the meeting a parent, Chris Dooley, told the board he represents hockey families who fear the season could be disrupted by a dispute involving Section 2 and regional officiating. “We need a voice of reason to help push our Section 2 administrators, the state athletic administrators, and the Eastern New York National Hockey Officials Association do what is right for our students,” Dooley said, asking the board to assist in resolving the disagreement.

Dooley said parents had offered to pay additional referee costs while the dispute is settled but that the offer was declined. He told board members the disagreement could deprive 10 senior players of their last season and asked the board to use its influence to find a resolution.

District response and next steps: Board members and administrators acknowledged the concern and said the athletic office has been engaged behind the scenes. The athletic director and district leadership did not announce a formal remedy at the meeting; board members encouraged continued coordination with Section 2 and regional officials.

The board’s recognition of athletes and coaches concluded with a call for continued support of student‑athletes both on and off the field.