He was voted in by the Association's Central Committee to serve a two-year term that begun on Sept. 1.
"It's a great honor, on one hand, but a huge responsibility on the other because this association runs athletics for all of New York State – high school and middle school athletics for all of New York State," Pizzarelli said. "I take that real seriously because we're affecting thousands and thousands of kids."
Pizzarelli is the third person from Nassau County to be chosen president of the NYSPHSAA. Dr. Jim Tolle, the former superintendent of Malverne schools, and Mr. Marcus Martone, former athletic director at Carey High School, are the other two. Pizzarelli replaces Dr. Ron Black, who stepped down at the Association's annual summer meeting in Westchester County.
"I think if we can maintain the excellent programs we currently have and the way we run them, that would be a great thing [during my tenure] because of the economic times we're going through," Pizzarelli said.
While he would like New York State to continue the expansion of its championships and the different educational programs it runs, Pizzarelli isn't sure that's feasible with the current state of the economy. "The economic situation that we're all facing is going to affect all school districts," he said. "They're going to be hit with budget cuts, so I think it's imperative that we talk about money savings, but we don't want to cut things back. As far as new things coming aboard, unless they pay for themselves, I am not sure we're going to be able to expand."
The NYSPHSAA is a non-profit organization comprised of schools dedicated to providing equitable and safe competition for students of its member schools. Pizzarelli has been a member of the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee for eight years, most recently contributing as Section VIII Football Coordinator. The organization runs all the state championships in all the sports during every athletic season and Pizzarelli is now overseeing the entire organization. That shouldn't be a problem for a man whom is also President of the Association of Lawrence Administrators and a member of the New York State Athletic Administrators Association (NYSAAA), for which he previously served as President.
Mark Ward, who is the Superintendent of Schools at Ellicottville Central School District near Buffalo, was named First Vice President while Eileen Troy, Athletic Director at Greenwich High, will serve as Second Vice President. Troy has known Pizzarelli for the past eight years, when he was the NYSPHSAA's Central Committee representative for Section VIII, and thinks he is the right person for the job.
"I think Pat's going to be a fine leader," she said. "It's going to be a challenge for anyone in that position, but he's been well prepared. He's involved in several different groups. He was also president of NYSAAA so Pat will do a good job. I'm looking forward to work with him and learn from him in the next few years."
Other organizations that Pizzarelli participates in include the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the New York State Teachers Association, the American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association, the New York State Coaches Association, the American Heart Association, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
"Pat has been in the district for a very long time, and has contributed in many ways," said Dr. Vicki Karant, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, who is Pizzarelli's immediate supervisor. "His outreach to local and state organizations have made him an even better director to the students of Lawrence."
Pizzarelli has proven himself to be a versatile, dedicated educator and coach, having taken on roles ranging from Acting School Principal to Physical Education Teacher to Football, Lacrosse, Basketball and Wrestling Head Coach. He has developed, assisted with, and coordinated several curricular programs over the years, provides leadership for many programs, supervises the usage of fields and gymnasiums, and wrote the "Drug Free Schools Grant."
"Pat Pizzarelli is a vigorous advocate for all the students of the Lawrence Schools," said Mr. Geoffrey Touretz, Lawrence High School Principal. "His commitment to student experiences in athletics and student personal fitness makes him a truly worthy choice for this prestigious honor."
Pizzarelli also established Interscholastic Boys Lacrosse and re-established Girls Junior Varsity Soccer, Basketball and Softball at Lawrence High School. He serves on a number of district-wide committees in addition to his regular responsibilities as a director. "He is very supportive of all the teams in the district and understands the importance that athletics has on the growth of children," said George Klein, the Lawrence girls varsity soccer coach, who has worked with Pizzarelli for more than 10 years.
Honors and distinctions are not uncommon for Pizzarelli either. He is a past recipient of the NYSAHPERD Amazing Physical Educator Award, Nassau Zone Service Award, Hicksville Athletic Booster Club Lifetime Membership Award, Plainedge Parent Teacher Association Lifetime Membership Award, NYSAAA Outstanding Athletic Administrator Award, COA Zone Honor Award, and COA State Physical Education Director of the Year title.
"Pat is a mover and a shaker," Troy said. "He is the kind of guy that brings a lot of energy to the table and he will bring a lot of energy to that position. He is definitely a person that puts kids first and that's what the NYSPHSAA is all about."
Pizzarelli is looking forward to many relationships he will foster in the next 24 months as president of the NYSPHSAA. "When you deal with athletics, you deal with a lot of great people who work real hard because they love kids," Pizzarelli said. "We work a lot of long hours. It's just a continued relationship I've made with people throughout New York State and the funny thing is every state, all over the United States has similar problems. What we deal with in New York, they deal with in California, Florida and even Kentucky. You meet people from all over the country so that's something I look forward to. That's pretty cool."
He hopes to have a successful tenure as president, and thinks the many members of the organization will steer him in the right direction.
"I have to make sure I keep an open mind and listen to what our membership is saying," he said. "When they have something to say, I need to make sure to listen to their concerns and react to their problems in the right ways. When it's appropriate we will need to make changes. If I do that, I would consider my term a success."
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