CAMDEN, NY - The Camden Central School District is pleased to announce that Camden High School has been recognized as a “School of Excellence” by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for the 2022-23 school year. The awards were announced by the association on Thursday, July 27th.
To attain “School of Excellence” honors, a school’s athletic department must have 75 percent of its varsity teams achieve “Scholar-Athlete Team” status through NYSPHSAA. Per the association’s criteria, a “Scholar Athlete Team” is a team that can take the overall averages of 75 percent of its players and have the average of those numbers exceed 90. The athletes on a scholar-athlete team with an overall average above 90 receive an award from NYSPHSAA.
Athletic Director Josh Mazzaferro feels that as with the “Scholar Athlete Team” award, becoming a “School of Excellence” is a true team effort that encompasses the entire school community.
“This is a testament to how we put academics before athletics,” Mazzaferro said. “The two go hand in hand, but one does not function without the other. We carefully monitor academics and set high yet reasonable expectations for our student-athletes. Our department is extremely grateful for our teachers and support staff as they all play a role in ensuring students meet our academic expectations.”
For the 2022-23 school year, the following Camden varsity teams were recognized as “Scholar-Athlete Teams”: Boys’ Golf, Girls’ Golf, Boys’ Outdoor Track and Field, Girls’ Outdoor Track and Field, Boys’ Tennis, Baseball, Softball, Boys’ Basketball, Boys’ Bowling, Boys’ Indoor Track and Field, Boys’ Alpine Skiing, Boys’ Nordic Skiing, Girls’ Basketball, Girls’ Indoor Track and Field, Girls’ Nordic Skiing, Girls’ Volleyball, Girls’ Wrestling, Boys’ Cross Country, Boys’ Soccer, Field Hockey, Football, Game Day Cheerleading, Girls’ Cross Country, Girls’ Tennis, and Girls’ Soccer.
As much as these awards are team-focused, and in the case of the latest honor, department-focused, Mazzaferro also commended the work of the student-athletes who made this award possible for Camden High School.
“Managing sports and academics can be challenging,” Mazzaferro said. “The students are aware of department expectations and work diligently to meet them. Students take advantage of the support and opportunities we offer as a district, and they understand that without academics, athletics wouldn't be possible. We are extremely proud of our student-athletes, as we wouldn't have received this recognition if it wasn't for their determination in the classroom.”