Picture this: Saturday evening at Syracuse University, two powerhouse undefeated football teams, both from renowned private Catholic schools, will face off for the highly coveted state public high school championship. Christian Brothers Academy Syracuse and Christian Brothers Academy Albany, both hailing from the Class AA "large school" division of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSA), are about to deliver an electrifying game that will have fans on the edge of their seats. But beneath this showdown lies a brewing storm that could drastically alter the landscape of high school sports in New York.
The NYSPHSA, which includes a total of 71 private high schools spread across its five divisions, has long been a battleground where private and public schools alike compete for top honors. For decades, these schools have competed side by side in championship play, showcasing their best athletes on the field. But a controversial bill introduced earlier this year by state Assemblyman Matt Slater could change this long-standing tradition. This legislation, aimed at ensuring fairness in high school athletics, has sparked fierce debate about the future of public versus private school competition.
Slater, a Republican from Yorktown, has proposed a bill that argues the current system, where private and public schools face off for state championships, puts public schools at a significant disadvantage before the game even begins. According to Slater, this imbalance stems from the fundamental differences between the two types of institutions. Public schools, he asserts, are restricted to recruiting athletes from within their own districts, while private schools have the freedom to recruit students from a much larger geographic area. The financial disparities are also a factor; private schools often have more athletic funding and can offer scholarships to talented athletes, further tilting the playing field in their favor.
“I played sports my whole life,” Slater said. “I have no problem with them competing during the regular season — I have no problem with them playing the best of the best during that time. But I think when it comes to the state championship, it’s time we finally throw a flag on the field.”
Slater’s bill, still waiting for a vote in the Assembly, would take effect on the first day of July following its passage. If signed into law, it would separate the public and non-public schools during the playoff season. The proposed change would create two distinct playoff brackets: one for public schools and one for private institutions. Each bracket would crown a state champion, effectively ensuring that public and private schools no longer compete for the same title.
In practice, this means that high school sports would largely proceed as usual until the playoffs, when the separation would occur. Slater envisions a system where public and private schools battle for glory in their own brackets, thus eliminating the perceived advantages that non-public schools hold over their public counterparts. According to Slater, this division will result in two state champions — one public and one private — which will better reflect the different challenges each type of school faces.
The impact of this bill could be significant. Public schools, limited by their geographic boundaries, often struggle to compete against private schools with far more resources at their disposal. Private schools, particularly those that are well-funded, can attract top-tier athletes with athletic scholarships, a luxury not afforded to most public schools. As Slater puts it, this is akin to a Division I college team facing off against a Division III team — the outcome is all but decided. In his view, the current system is broken, and it’s time to level the playing field.
But not everyone is on board with the proposed changes. NYSPHSA Executive Director Robert Zayas has expressed concern about the potential backlash from private schools, many of which have long enjoyed their place in the state championship spotlight. Zayas pointed out that private schools make up a small proportion of the NYSPHSA's membership, and creating a separate championship for them could diminish the quality and prestige of the state title. Private schools, Zayas argues, could feel alienated if they were excluded from the overall championship, particularly given the disparity in student enrollment among these schools. Some private institutions have fewer than 100 students, while others boast enrollments of more than 500, making the competition uneven even within the private school sector itself.
“These non-public schools were declared members decades ago,” Zayas said. “So now to tell them that they’re no longer part of our state championship may be a very difficult thing to do.”
Zayas has also highlighted the importance of maintaining a unified system where all schools, regardless of their private or public status, compete for the same championship title. Dividing the playoffs, in his view, could lead to a fragmented system that undermines the integrity of the sport and the championship itself. For Zayas and many others, the key to a fair competition lies not in segregation but in ensuring that every athlete, no matter their school affiliation, has an equal shot at victory.
However, Slater is undeterred by these objections. He understands that there will be resistance, especially from private schools with powerful alumni networks and well-established athletic programs. But he remains committed to pushing for this change, and he plans to reintroduce the bill in the upcoming legislative session. Slater is confident that, with more time to build support, the bill will gain the traction it needs to pass. He is particularly adamant about the need for change, stating that private schools have been benefitting from a system that unfairly favors them for far too long.
“I’m sure the CBAs of the world aren’t going to support it, but frankly, they’ve been benefiting from a system that really benefits them,” Slater said. “There’s an unfairness when it comes to the non-public versus public schools. We should make sure the state championships recognize that.”
As the debate continues, all eyes will be on the upcoming game between CBA Syracuse and CBA Albany, set to kick off at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse. The excitement surrounding this game, and the championship as a whole, underscores just how much is at stake. For fans, athletes, and school communities alike, this is more than just a football game — it’s a glimpse into the future of high school sports in New York.
Whether the bill passes or not, one thing is clear: the issue of public versus private schools in high school athletics is not going away anytime soon. As Slater’s proposed legislation moves forward, the conversation about fairness, equity, and the true spirit of competition will continue to shape the landscape of New York’s high school sports for years to come.
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