The recession was in full swing in 2009, and school districts were strapped for money. That's when the number of athletic games, meets and contests were cut for public high school sports in New York. It was a way to save money, and possibly some programs. But now some think it's time to add back those games. Representatives from Section VI in Western New York brought the issue to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's October meeting, and it is to be brought up for discussion at the group's February meeting, with possible action later in the year. "Any time we can give kids more opportunities to participate, we're gaining momentum," said Robert Zayas, executive director of the association. The proposal got another push from the Athletic Committee of the state Council of Superintendents, which sent a letter to Zayas in supporting the conversations and process to bringing back the regular season contests. Depew Superintendent Jeffrey R. Rabey is on the committee and … [Read more...] about Proposal to add games to high school sports calendar gains momentum
Buffalo public schools calendar
Mark your calendars for the Buffalo PAL auction
Designer handbags. Apple Watch. Beats by Dr. Dre. Tickets to Buffalo Bills and Sabres games. Those are just some of the items that will available at the 18th Annual Police Athletic League of Buffalo Auction from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 154 Franklin St. There will be raffle prizes as well as silent and live auctions. Olympic bobsledding gold medalist and Buffalo native Steve Mesler will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $50 per person and are on sale now at buffalopal.com. Buffalo PAL is a not-for-profit agency that currently serves more than 20,000 children annually with after school, weekend and summer programs that operate in six community centers, 17 Buffalo Public Schools and Buffalo-Olmsted Parks. … [Read more...] about Mark your calendars for the Buffalo PAL auction
Running: Largest field in Buffalo history prepared for the 38th J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge
While the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge is held in 13 cities in seven countries on five continents, there’s something uniquely Buffalo about the annual event. It combines sport and spectacle, mixes athletic endeavor with socializing, and fosters competition in a supportive environment. Buffalo is the second-oldest event in the 42-year-old series, trailing only New York City. The 38th running of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Buffalo will be at 6:45 p.m. Thursday at Delaware Park. “It’s just such a Buffalo thing,” said Bob McArdle, market executive at Chase. “It kicks off the summer and it’s a great opportunity for corporate companies to come together and have a fun picnic day with a little bit of competition and networking and mingling with other companies in the area.” J.P. Morgan first held its 3.5-mile race in Buffalo in 1981 with every year but one held within the confines of the Fredrick Law Olmstead park. (The exception was 1992 … [Read more...] about Running: Largest field in Buffalo history prepared for the 38th J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge
Union-backed candidates win, incumbent ousted for Williamsville School Board
The Williamsville teachers' union on Tuesday maintained its perfect record since 2015 of electing its endorsed candidates to the Board of Education. The union-backed slate of incumbents Shawn Lemay and Mark Mecca and newcomer Eric Borenstein were the top vote-getters in a field of seven candidates. Six-year incumbent Toni Vazquez, who received the union's endorsement in 2015, lost her re-election bid after she was denied an endorsement this year. "The teachers come out and vote for teacher-endorsed candidates," Vazquez said. "That's what they did." The Williamsville Teachers Association became more vocal with its endorsements in 2015, when employee complaints against Superintendent Scott Martzloff surfaced publicly. At that time, Vazquez was the lone board member to back the union's call for an independent investigation into the complaints, but her relationship with the union soured over the last year. "I'm most proud of speaking independently and staying true to my convictions," … [Read more...] about Union-backed candidates win, incumbent ousted for Williamsville School Board
2017 Sporting Calendar: key dates and event planner
AMERICAN FOOTBALL (NFL unless stated) JAN 1 Regular season ends. 7-8 Play-offs begin, wild card round. 9 US College Play-off National Ch’ship (Tampa, Florida). 14-15 Divisional play-offs. 22 AFC & NFC Ch’ship games. 29 Pro Bowl (Orlando, Florida). FEB 5 Super Bowl LI (Houston, Texas). APRIL 27-29 Draft (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). JUNE 10/11 (tbc) Big6 EuroBowl XXXI (tbc); EFL Bowl IV (tbc). SEPT 7 2017-18 season starts. 24 or OCT 1 Jacksonville v Baltimore (Wembley), Miami v New Orleans (Wembley). OCT 22 or 29 Cleveland v Minnesota (Twickenham), Los Angeles v Arizona (Twickenham). AQUATICS DIVING FEB 3-5 British National Cup (Plymouth). 24-26 Grand Prix (Rostock, Germany). MARCH 3-5 World Series (Beijing). 23-25 World Series (Dubai). 31-APRIL 2 World Series (Windsor, Canada). APRIL 6-9 Grand Prix (Gatineau, Canada). 9-12 British Elite Junior Ch’ships (Plymouth). 21-23 World Series (Kazan, Russia). MAY 4-7 Grand Prix (San Juan, Puerto … [Read more...] about 2017 Sporting Calendar: key dates and event planner