Washington Township High School Athletic Director Kevin Murphy Named to NJSIAA COVID-19 Task Force
Washington Township High School Athletic Director Kevin Murphy has been named to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (NJSIAA) COVID-19 Sports Advisory Task Force. He joins a group of athletic directors from across the state who will consider a wide range of sports-specific proposals and recommendations, with a focus in implementing, executing and enforcing potential modifications beginning with the Fall sports season.
The NJSIAA also has formed a COVID-19 Medical Advisory Task Force, which will identify and implement both general and sports-specific modifications.
The two task forces will work independently but will communicate regularly and provide ongoing counsel to each other. Both will make recommendations to NJSIAA leadership, which will then work within governmental and National Federation of High School Sport (NFHS) guidelines to manage the safe return of high school sports in New Jersey.
The Sports Advisory Task Force will be chaired by Rutherford High School Athletic Director and former NJSIAA President Dave Frazier. Murphy will join colleagues Denis Nelson (River Dell High School athletic director), Ryan Miller (Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School athletic director), Vito Chiaravalloti (Christian Brothers Academy athletic director), Dan Uszaki (Northern Burlington Regional High School athletic director) and Todd Ricker (Parsippany Hills High School athletic director) on the Task Force. Tom Mullahey, Clifton High School athletic director, will serve as the NJSIAA Executive Committee liaison, and Colleen Maguire, NJSIAA Director of Finance and Administration, will serve as the NJSIAA liaison.
“More than anyone else, athletic directors want to see a safe return to high school sports,” Frazier says. “but we also clearly understand the significant challenges ahead. I’m confident we’ll make tremendous progress and am optimistic that we’ll see kids playing again before too long. But, it’s essential to manage expectations and prepare our students-athletes – as well as those who cheer them on – for the short-term changes that may be necessary.”
“Input from our peers will be essential as we try to navigate the various guidelines, the needs of our members schools and the concerns of our student-athletes,” Mullahey said.
“It is an honor to be selected to serve on this important NJSIAA task force.” Murphy said. “I look forward to working alongside my colleagues, and the NJSIAA Medical Advisory Task Force, in developing a plan for our student-athletes, coaches and officials to safely return to the sports they love.”