COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATORS SECTION

The Council of Administrators (COA) promotes high standards of administrative leadership in the disciplines of health and physical education. The COA offers their members inspiring and empowering leadership opportunities and programming that encourage excellence in curriculum, instructional strategies and assessment.

Section Leadership

Darren Phillips

President

Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health & Wellness
Southampton School District
Suffolk Zone
Contact Darren

Jason Lehmbeck

Past President

Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics
Clarence Central School District
Western Zone
Contact Jason!

Tilsa Rodriguez-Gonzalez

President-elect

Supervisor of Health & Physical Education
City District of New Rochelle
Southeastern Zone
Contact Tilsa!

Michael Morgan

Secretary

Director of Physical Education and Athletics
Watertown City School District
Northern Zone
Contact Michael!

Michael Gordon

Treasurer

Bell Auto School Driving Instructor, Adelphi University Supervisor of Student Teachers, Modified Boys & Girls Tennis Coordinator
Nassau Zone
Contact Michael!

COA Mission Statement

The Council of Administrators (COA) promotes high standards of administrative leadership in the disciplines of health and physical education. The Council of Administrators offers inspiring, creative and empowering leadership opportunities that enhance student physical, social & psychological development. These opportunities also encourage excellence in pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and instructional strategies. Health and Physical Education programs ultimately provide a strong foundation enabling students to achieve at higher levels academically and recognize the importance of health-related physical fitness.

Council of Administrators Annual Conference

November 19-20, 2025

Turning Stone Resort

2025 COA Call for Programs Application

Click to Submit an Application

COA Constitution & Bylaws

The Council of Administrators Section was Chartered by the NYS Board of Regents in 1964. The constitution and bylaws were last revised in 2016

Click here to download

COA Awards

The Council of Administrators Section recognizes excellence among our dedicated professionals with our COA Special Service Award, Ellis H. Champlin Award and Zone Awards. The Director of the Year Award is now given by NYS AHPERD.

Click here to learn more

COA Resources

The Council of Administrators Section has developed several resources for our members.

Updated version coming soon

Our goals include:

- Providing professional opportunities for leadership development.

- Advocating for quality health and physical education programs.

- Promoting research that supports the positive role our discipline plays providing the knowledge and experience necessary to live a productive and healthy life.

- Supporting and encouraging enhancements in health education and physical education curriculum, instruction and assessment strategies ensuring positive outcomes for all New York State students.

President's goals for 2025:

- Create a committee for 5 year strategic plan

- Increase membership Increase attendance at COA conference

- Update website and by-laws

- Create COA Instagram page and have a social media presence

- Add a consultant position to assist with COA duties and responsibilities

- Collaborate with NYSAAA

Conference

Awards

Click here to review the COA Award Eligibility Criteria

COA SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD

This award is presented to a COA member, or an organization, that has given five or more years of dedicated service to the Council of Administrators section. These individuals or organizations have given countless hours of service to the COA; have demonstrated commitment to the COA that is far beyond the call of duty; and has contributed significantly to the betterment of physical education, and/or the further advancement of the COA organization, in the State of New York. Nominations are accepted from all NYS AHPERD members and award winners are selected by the statewide board of COA Zone Representatives.

ELLIS H. CHAMPLIN AWARD

The Ellis H. Champlin Award is the most prestigious award given by the COA to an outstanding individual who exhibits dedication and leadership in the profession. It was established in 1962 by the Council of Administrators in memory of Ellis Champlin, an outstanding administrator in the field of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The criteria for this award are an outstanding Administrator who exhibits dedication and leadership in the profession by serving as an active contributor, supporter and worker for the purposes of the COA, NYS AHPERD, and the profession of health and physical education, and the children of New York State. Nominees must have been a member of NYS AHPERD for a minimum of ten years, with at least five years of membership in the COA Section, and their membership must be current. Nominations are accepted from all NYS AHPERD members and award winners are selected by the statewide board of COA Zone Representatives.

ZONE AWARDS

COA Zone Awards are presented by each Zone to a COA member who distinguishes themselves from their colleagues by their exemplary commitment to Health and Physical Education. The award honors individuals for exceptional leadership in advancing the disciplines of Physical Education at the elementary and secondary levels, Adapted Physical Education, Health Education, and/or Dance Education. Nominations are accepted from all NYS AHPERD members and award winners are selected by local Zones and by procedures selected by each local Zone.

Click here for previous COA Award recipients

COA Director of the Year Award

Since 2018, Director of the Year awards have been given by NYS AHPERD rather than the COA Section.

The Director of the Year award is given to an outstanding director who has contributed significantly to the improvement of physical education programs in servicing the youth of his/her own school district, and/or in New York State.

2024 Director of the Year - Eric Caballero

2023 Director of the Year - Darren Phillips

2022 Director of the Year - Bob Panariello

2020 Director of the Year - Tom Graham

2019 Director of the Year - Carol Roseto

2018 Director of the Year - Dr. Tamela Ray

2017 Director of the Year - Drew Walker

2016 Director of the Year - Lawrence Philips

2015 Director of the Year - Dr. Tamela Ray

2014 Director of the Year - James Rose

2013 Director of the Year - Dr. James Wright

2012 Director of the Year - Fritz Kilian

2011 Director of the Year - David Garbarino

2010 Director of the Year - Robert McGuire

2009 Director of the Year - Claude Kasman

2008 Director of the Year - Thomas Stewart

2007 Director of the Year - Bruce Quimby

2006 Director of the Year - Robert Zifchock

2005 Director of the Year - Neil Zwierlein

2004 Director of the Year - Kenneth Garry

2003 Director of the Year - Ronald Woodruff

2002 Director of the Year - Patrick Pizzarelli

2001 Director of the Year - Richard Amundson

2000 Director of the Year - Martha Slack

1999 Director of the Year - Stuart Chandler

1998 Director of the Year - Dennis Fries

1997 Director of the Year - Anthony Gulli

1996 Director of the Year - Francis Lisewski

1995 Director of the Year - Mira Martincich

1994 Director of the Year - Tom Skidmore

1993 Director of the Year - Lloyd Mott

1992 Director of the Year - Bill McEachron

1991 Director of the Year - Samuel Utter

1991 Director of the Year - Douglas Prato

1990 Director of the Year - Nicholas DeCillis

1989 Director of the Year - Jack Cashman

1988 Director of the Year - Raymond Waldron

1987 Director of the Year - Richard Bader

1986 Director of the Year - RichardVercruysse

1985 Director of the Year - Robert Lucia

1984 Director of the Year - Ralph Cordisco

1983 Director of the Year - John McCleery

1982 Director of the Year - Max Lederer

1981 Director of the Year - Joseph Farrell

1980 Director of the Year - Dave Martens

1979 Director of the Year - Roger Bunce

1978 Director of the Year - Donald Distin

1977 Director of the Year - Robert Wurtenberg

1976 Director of the Year - John Glading

1975 Director of the Year - Dave Rotenberg

1974 Director of the Year - Marcus Martone

1973 Director of the Year - Nicholas Zona

1972 Director of the Year - Dr. Luke Porta

COA Amazing People Award Recipients

Amazing People award recipients are selected by the Section President with input from the Zone Board.

2023 Carol Reseto

2022 Ron Whitcomb

2020/21 Drew Walker

2019 Gregory L Warren

2016 Dr. James Wright

2015 Jim Rose

2013 Dennis Fries

2012 Lloyd Mott

2010 David Garbarino

2005 Robert "Bob" Zifchock

2004 Mike White

COA Resources

COA Constitution and Bylaws

The Council of Administrators Section was Chartered by the NYS Board of Regents in 1964. The constitution and bylaws were last revised in 2016

Click here to download

COA Handbook

This handbook was developed to provide information at your fingertips. Topics include Administration, Leadership, Management, Regulations, National and State Documents, Teaching Curriculum, Time Management, Problem Solving, APPR, SLO's, and much more.

Click here for more information and to order.

COA Brochure

Our brochure was developed to provide details about COA membership. Feel free to download a copy to share with colleagues who might benefit from membership.

Click here to download