Smithtown High Schools' Athletic Programs Honored By NYSPHSAA

SMITHTOWN, NY — Smithtown High School East has been named a School of Distinction by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, while Smithtown High School West has been honored as a School of Excellence, the district announced in a news release.

This year, 56 schools earned the School of Distinction Award and 140 schools earned the School of Excellence Award.

Schools can apply for School of Distinction status by having 100 percent of their varsity teams qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award during their respective sports seasons. To earn the School of Excellence Award, 75 percent of a school’s varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award. This year’s winners were based on fall 2019 and winter 2020 Scholar-Athlete submissions.

The purpose of the School of Distinction and School of Excellence awards are to unite varsity coaches in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide honor.

An additional 21 schools received the School of Distinction Award and 13 more received the School of Excellence Award compared to 2018-19 school year.

"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."