New Hyde Park Memorial High School has officially welcomed a new athletic director and chairperson of physical education & health, Mr. Piccirillo. His arrival to New Hyde Park marks a new change in leadership.
In the role as athletic director, Mr. Piccirillo manages multiple athletic operations. His daily tasks usually include overseeing budgets, athlete eligibility, transportation and maintaining communication with coaches and administrators. In addition, he oversees both the physical education and health departments, focusing on program development and teacher support.
Prior to his arrival to New Hyde Park, Mr. Piccirillo served as chairperson of physical education, health and athletics in the Patchogue-Medford School District. There, he participated in the development of districtwide programs, increasing the quality and effectiveness of applications within the physical education and health curriculum. His contribution to the Unified Physical Education program, leadership as badminton coach of Bethpage School District, and years of experience are indicative of New Hyde Park’s future athletic success.
Mr. Piccirillo describes the job as busy and demanding. Between coordinating athletic logistics and improving education, his workload can be substantial and time consuming.
“We do a lot of important things in this office every day. Always busy,” Mr. Piccirillo said.
Despite Piccirillo’s steady presence in the athletic department, many students are still forming new opinions on the school’s new athletic director.
“I do not have him as a gym teacher, so I haven’t really interacted with him, but I saw him at my senior tennis match, taking photos. He seems good,” senior Disha Chakraborty said.
Students, such as those in Mr. Piccirillo’s gym classes, have noticed an uptick in the way the athletic department operates. His presence in the gym appears to have created a more engaging environment for not only students but also other teachers as well.
“I think Mr. Piccirillo is doing a good job with his first year here at our school. He’s enthusiastic in class and engages the class to promote participation in our activities,” senior Emily Lee said.
“Mr. Piccirillo has some unorthodox tactics to get his classes involved. The first day he greeted us with an aim and do now which is definitely a first throughout all my gym classes at NHP,” junior Briana Ching said. “He gives more formal lessons while balancing them out with fun warmups like gorilla arm circles.”
For now, New Hyde Park curiously watches as Mr. Piccrillo settles into his new role as athletic director. The adjustment period is still ongoing, but smooth sailing. In the coming year, the school community will continue to observe the new athletic director’s contributions and how they influence New Hyde Park’s athletics.
