Northport HS Athletic Program Named NYS School Of Distinction

NORTHPORT, NY — Northport High School was named a New York State School of Distinction for its athletics program by NYS Public High School Athletic Association Inc. for a third consecutive year, the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District announced in a news release.

The purpose of the award is to unite varsity coaches in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide academic honor. This year, Northport High School was one of only 56 schools that earned the School of Distinction Award — the highest honor commending varsity student athletes for earning grade point averages of 90 percent or above. The 2019-20 school year School of
Distinction winners were based on fall 2019 and winter 2020 Scholar-Athlete submissions.

"We are excited once again to see the numbers of schools honored increase and it is a true testament to the kind of student-athletes we have here in New York State," NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas wrote in a news release. "We continue to be proud of this program which highlights and celebrates schools that value the importance of academics, as well as athletics. The fact that so many student-athletes thrived in the face of a pandemic this past winter is truly remarkable."

Mark Dantuono, the school district's director of health, physical education and athletics, called the district "truly a special place."

"We are extremely fortunate to work alongside such a group of dedicated and driven student-athletes, coaches and teachers," he said.

Northport High School features 20 sports teams, according to the NYS Public High School Athletic Association Inc.'s 2019-20 School of Distinction list.