What do Manhasset residents expect from their athletics program at the middle and high school levels? Through the Manhasset Athletic Advisory Committee (MAAC), residents have been speaking up for years.

Consisting of Manhasset residents and coaches, the MAAC acts as a liaison between the community and the school board on sports-related issues. Its job is to look for ways to improve the athletic experience for the students at the middle and high school level. Being on a team keeps kids engaged in the community, teaches teamwork and discipline while building self-esteem. And, with the competition at leading colleges only getting tougher, athletics--like other extracurricular activities--often provide an edge in the admissions process. The MAAC wants to make sure Manhasset kids continue to have the opportunity to excel.

The MAAC does not raise money nor control how the school budget is constructed. It does seek to influence the budget process so that athletics are adequately represented. Also, it monitors the quality of athletic programs, discusses opportunities for improvement, assesses what it will take to make those improvements and then presents its recommendations to the school board.

Additionally, the MAAC: Surveyed Manhasset residents regarding a controversial "cut/no-cut" policy for middle and high school teams in an effort to learn how the community views "cuts" as a way to manage team size; Took a close look at indoor (gyms, locker rooms) and outdoor (fields, tennis courts, track) facilities--a long term plan to maintain and improve these facilities will be presented to the school board; Examined the coach/athlete ratios by sport looking for ways to ensure a safe and rewarding learning experience.

Issues the MAAC is addressing this year include resurfacing the track, improving the lighting in the gyms, maximizing field space, and maintaining a safe student/coach ratio on teams.

With so many challenges facing the athletic program, the MAAC's role as the voice of the community will grow. Right now, the Manhasset Middle and High Schools lack the space and resources necessary to provide student/athletes with unlimited access to the sports of their choice. Manhasset residents will have to make some investments in the athletic program if they want their children to realize the benefits that a vibrant athletic program offers college-bound students.

To learn more about how to become a member of the MAAC or how to provide feedback to committee members, go to http://www.manhasset.k12.ny.us/athletics.cfm

Submitted by the MAAC Committee.