N.J. probe finds NJSIAA poorly run

N.J. probe finds NJSIAA poorly run At times over the last few years, South Jersey legislator John Burzichelli has sounded like a strident and solitary voice, complaining about the administration of the New State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Now, the powerful assemblyman has company. The State Commission of Investigation, New Jersey's independent, fact-finding agency, issued a report on Wednesday blasting the NJSIAA for a "culture of lax management that invites waste and abuse."

Burzichelli (D., Gloucester) responded by announcing plans to introduce legislation that would move oversight of high school sports under the New School Boards Association, effectively dismantling the 92-year-old NJSIAA. NJSIAA officials fired back Wednesday night as counsel Mike Herbert said Burzichelli's plan was "fraught with legal problems" and added that, "operationally, it's absurd." Herbert said the School Boards Association was created by statute that limits membership to public schools, which would eliminate the 77 private schools that are currently members of the NJSIAA.

Burzichelli said the School Boards Association could offer a "service" to private schools if they chose to join the organization as affiliate members. "A lot of this stuff has to be worked out," Burzichelli said. As for Herbert's criticism of Burzichelli's plan on legal terms, Burzichelli said: "Mike Herbert is the last person I would taken legal guidance from, and you can quote me on that."