The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
07-13-2005
Sports group urged to pick outsider to lead
By JEAN RIMBACH and GREGORY SCHUTTA, STAFF WRITERS
Date: 07-13-2005, Wednesday
Section: NEWS
Edtion: All Editions
The governing body for New Jersey's high school sports - already under fire for its spending practices - is considering an insider as its next executive director, a move that one legislator is trying to stop.
Assemblyman John Burzichelli, a critic of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, said in a letter Tuesday to members of the group's executive committee that 'one notable first step' the group can take toward reform would be to postpone action on the new executive director and associate director.
The nearly 50 voting members of the executive committee are now casting ballots on a replacement for retiring Executive Director Boyd Sands; they've already chosen a second-in-command.
'It strikes me as entirely inappropriate for the NJSIAA to make such promotions while the organization fails to purge itself of the misguided notion that it can operate as an independent fiefdom accountable to nobody,' Burzichelli wrote.
The ballots that went out to executive committee members this week had just one name: that of Assistant Director Steve Timko. Ten people applied for the post, and eight were interviewed by an 11-member search committee.
Burzichelli, a Gloucester County Democrat who has authored a bill to force NJSIAA to cut ticket prices, doesn't think the group should be hiring from within while its spending habits are being questioned. The Record recently detailed how the organization provides its executives with generous salaries, retirement packages and cars, pays for spouses to travel to conventions and has allowed its top executive to pick up the tab for numerous pricey meals.
'I don't think it's healthy,' the assemblyman said. 'I don't think it's in any way a step to restore public confidence by parents who have their children in high school sports.'
Bert Ammerman, a member of the executive committee, said he, too, thinks it's wrong to elevate a current staff member.
'All the people I have spoken to in the last couple of days are asking me, 'What's going on in your organization?' and whatever they do, they better not hire from inside,' said Ammerman, principal of Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest. 'I'm afraid the perception will be, 'There goes the arrogance of the NJSIAA again.'-'
Ammerman - who also applied for the executive director post - said Timko is a 'very good person. This is not about him.'
'When you have something like this take place, politically you would want to bring in a person who is not connected to what's happening and is perceived to have a positive image,' he said.
The association makes rules and runs tournaments for 33 sports, raising and spending millions each year. It has six top executives who, when they leave the association, will add NJSIAA pensions to the state pensions they already receive as retired educators. Its two top officials also expect to cash in a combined $180,000 in sick and vacation time when they retire next year.
In addition to the six directors who earn $83,435 to $142,755, the NJSIAA has 12 other people on the payroll.
On Monday, Burzichelli asked the State Commission of Investigation to probe the sports group. The same day, the state's top education official, through a spokeswoman, called some of the reported spending 'disturbing and problematic.'
Acting Governor Codey acknowledged Tuesday that change is necessary.
'He believes there are some changes that need to be made,' Codey spokeswoman Kelley Heck said. 'But he also believes the association has acknowledged that as well, and he hopes those changes will be made soon.'
The NJSIAA's attorney on Monday spelled out some of its plans: limiting to $15,000 the amount of sick time that can be cashed in upon retirement, reducing its contribution to the pension fund, ending the practice of paying for spouses to accompany executives on trips and seeking ways to return more money to member schools. The group also says it will cut ticket prices for senior citizens and students at high school venues and reduce the fees schools pay to enter tournaments in at least one sport.
Citing The Record's reports, Ammerman said he's 'truly disappointed and embarrassed.'
'There have been some serious poor judgments made here,' he said.
'There has got to be a major overhaul process in the allocation of funds, in expenses, in the fees. It's not a happy time to be the NJSIAA or to be a member of the executive committee.'
Timko's current salary is $83,435. He spent 25 years in the Hopewell Valley School District, most of that as director of health, physical education and athletics. His main duties at NJSIAA are overseeing the growing corporate-sponsorship program, wrestling, baseball and boys soccer.
'I'm sure whoever gets the position will receive a lot of scrutiny, which I think is a good thing,' said Rona McNabola, a member of the search committee. 'Because the questions are out there now. People want to know the answers.
McNabola, a Glen Rock school board member, said it was reasonable to hire from within the organization.
'If somebody brand new who is not even from the state of New Jersey is chosen, then there is going to be a huge learning curve as they get to know high school sports in New Jersey and the workings of the association,' she said.
It is not unusual for the NJSIAA to chose from among its own to fill vacancies. Timko, Sands and Assistant Director Bob Baly all served on the executive committee before being hired as full-time staffers.
Associate Director James Loper and Assistant Director Carol Parsons both had seats on the controversies and advisory committees before being hired. Loper announced in April that he will leave the $121,475-a-year post in January. The executive committee quickly announced Parsons would be promoted into his job.
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What's next
Today: The nearly 50 executive committee members prepare to vote on elevating Assistant Director Steve Timko to executive director.
Thursday: The ballots will be counted, with Timko needing the approval of the majority. An announcement from the NJSIAA could come as early as Thursday.
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E-mail: rimbach@northjersey.com and schutta@northjersey.com
Keywords: SCHOOL, SPORT, ORGANIZATION
Copyright 2005 Bergen Record Corp. All rights reserved.
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