Q&A: Karissa Niehoff, new CIAC director

Just before the high school season opened I spoke with Karissa Niehoff, new deputy executive director of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, who will become executive director later this year. She replaces Mike Savage, director for 30 years who announced his retirement in the spring but is staying on through a transition period.

Niehoff addressed several issues facing the CIAC and the state of the organization:

MaxPreps: The CIAC has a strong position prohibiting coaches from coaching their student-athletes on out-of-season teams. Some other states permit it and are starting to see out-of-season teams play during the scholastic season. Is this a serious issue in Connecticut and is the CIAC looking at it?

Niehoff: "If we allowed teams to play year-round as teams out-of-season, that would really throw off the level playing field concept. There would be teams that could do it and others that couldn't. And we're trying to maintain policies that keep a level playing field for all of our member schools.
 
"We're challenged by what happens in other states because people will get wind of it. They try to bring us unique cases that we really have to think hard about. We see our kids getting pulled, for good reasons, coaxed into playing in out-of-season situations. So that's where communication is always important. Making sure our members know what the policies are and know that they can come to us with questions.

"The worst thing in the world is when a school gets sanctioned and it's the kid who has to sit over adults maybe not understanding a rule correctly. That is something we struggle with in our hearts up here. When adults make mistakes, the kids are the ones that have to sit out. So that's the downside in trying to protect the level playing field concept. Sometimes when adults don't get it right, a school can get sanctioned. We just want to keep it fair for everybody as best we can. The CIAC in that regard will be looking carefully at all of our policies regarding when and where kids are able to play."

MaxPreps: This year Connecticut became one of just a few states to pass concussion legislation that requires anyone who coaches or supervises athletics from elementary intramurals to the varsity level to be certified after completing a continuing education course. How has the CIAC approached this challenge and what is the key to making this new law work?

Niehoff: "We've taken the concussion legislation; we've passed that through. The certification that we offer in the state is something that is quite rigorous. We managed to certify well over 5,000 coaches this summer.

"Looking at the concussion legislation, depending on the role you play, whether you're a coach, or an official, a parent or an administrator, how we respond to a student that displays symptoms, similar to a concussion, that's something that's very important. There may be a certain officials group that may be very concerned about its role in that.

"The more we can communicate to our members and our volunteers and our employed officials, that 'Here's what the legislation means, here's how we can support you, give you information. Here's the CIAC position on it.' The more we can do that, the more we can get people on the same page and have a better understanding of what it means for them."

MaxPreps: What is the state of the CIAC today?

Niehoff: "CAS-CIAC (Connecticut Association of Schools-CIAC) is in the best position it's been in historically. We're in a very good position. And we're recognized for the quality programs that we offer through the association nationwide, so that's been great to see.

"We have no pressing concerns at this time. But certainly, something like a tournament can be impacted by weather for example. If you have a really rainy fall soccer tournament, that affects your ticket sales and therefore your income from a tournament. So we're always paying attention to how well we do with the events that we sponsor, so that they can help to pay for the things that draw the costs, the officials, the host sites, things like that.

"Even something like sportsmanship, a new initiative that we began three years ago. That's something that's been embraced. The athletic program evaluation model, we're very proud of that. We're hoping that more schools embark on that activity this year. We have so many things going on and they're all in great shape, growing and we're excited about that.

"Right now, the CIAC is very healthy, as is CAS and we're looking forward to a great season, a great school year with three great seasons."

MaxPreps: What do you see as challenges in the future for the organization?

Niehoff: "To continue to maintain the mission of the organization, which is that CAS-CIAC — in most states around the country they're separate endeavors, the academics and the activity branch —we are one and I would like to see us maintain that structure as an association. It really does promote the mission of schools.

"I hope that we continue to serve member schools through athletics and activities. Serve principals, serve ADs, officials, coaches, strengthen the coaching education, continue to try to expand our offerings for student-athletes, according to what our membership needs. Continue to explore the degree to which we have involvement from all of our member schools in terms of hosting tournaments or league activities.

"Promoting the training of officials, bringing more and more people into the work that we do here already. And obviously continue to support the programs that keep kids safe and healthy when they're out there on the field or the court."

TOP PERFORMERS
• Antonio Dagraca, Bridgeport Central soccer: Scored the game's only goal in unranked Central's upset of No. 6 Staples (Westport).

• Amihr Bess, Notre Dame (West Haven) football: Rushed for 206 yards and scored twice in ND's 52-20 victory over Branford.

• Alton Smith jr, Windsor football: Completed 15 of 25 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns, all to junior Aaron Berardino (eight catches, 198 yards), in the Warriors' 33-0 dismantling of New Britain.

• Casey Cochran, Masuk (Monroe) football: Was 17 of 25 passing for 292 yards and five touchdowns, three to Colin Markus, in a 42-0 victory over Pomperaug (Southbury).

LOOKING AHEAD
• In football, consensus No. 1. Xavier (Middletown) travels to No. 6 Cheshire for an SCC showdown between two Top 10 teams. Both teams specialize in tough defense. Graham Stewart (Boston College) leads the Falcons, while Greg Trifone helps anchor the Rams' defense.

• Staples (Westport) goes on the road to meet Ridgefield, both 2-0, in one of the first big FCIAC matchups of the early season.

• In boys soccer, coaches poll No. 1 Norwalk is at No. 6 Staples (Westport) Thursday in an FCIAC matchup of big significance, especially for the defending Class LL champion Wreckers, who have lost twice already.

• In girls soccer, Avon, the top-ranked Class L team in the CIAC tournament rankings, hosts defending Class M champion Suffield (West Suffield) on Wednesday. Both are 4-0.

BRIEFLY
The Greenwich girls swimming team and the Notre Dame (West Haven) boys outdoor track and field team have been chosen to receive the first Girls No. 1 Team and Boys No.1 Team Awards, sponsored by the United States Marine Corps and given to the outstanding athletic team from the 2009-10 school year. The teams will receive their awards at the 34th annual CHSCA Hall of Fame induction dinner on Nov. 18 at the Aqua Turf in Southington at 7 p.m.