In Large NY District, Athletics, Academics, and Honest Game Go Hand-in-Hand
Patchogue-Medford School District, located in New York, is one of the largest in the state, operating in a dozen buildings and serving thousands of students. With its vast size and diverse student population, managing academic eligibility for student-athletes has always been a complex challenge. However, the recent partnership with Honest Game has made a significant impact on students, staff, and the entire community.
Anthony Cracco, the Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics at Pat-Med, shared his thoughts on how Honest Game has truly been a game changer for the district.
One Playbook to Simplify and Unify the District
In a large school district like Patchogue-Medford, managing the academic eligibility of student-athletes across multiple schools and departments can be a serious logistical challenge. Honest Game addresses this complexity by centralizing all the necessary data and resources in one easy-to-use platform. This integration allows counselors, coaches, students, families, and administrators to access real-time academic information, track eligibility requirements, and coordinate efforts seamlessly.
“When you’re as big as we are, it’s really important to simplify things for staff, for students, for all parties, because you’re being pulled in a million directions.”
Honest Game is Ed Law 2-d compliant and BOCES aidable, making it uniquely positioned to support schools and districts in New York state. With everything in one place, Honest Game eliminates the need for manual tracking and prevents important details from slipping through the cracks, enabling the district to support its students more efficiently and effectively.
First-Hand Experience Opens Up Pathways
Cracco remembers well his time as student-athlete, and the major hurdles he had to overcome to be able to play DI football. Having not taken his academics seriously enough in high school, there was very little flexibility when it was time to go to the next level, and he was forced to begin college as a non-qualifier. This led to a challenging first few years and a lot of work to make up, before he was able to turn things around academically and meet the requirements.
“That’s part of why I believe so strongly in the product that you guys are putting out there. It is not only working alongside student-athletes and seeing how compliance and qualifying can impact a student’s life, but having gone through that experience and understanding it firsthand, I know how Honest Game can totally change the dynamics and the options. It’s why [partnering] was a no brainer.”
Honest Game is not just about keeping students eligible—it’s about opening doors. By using Honest Game’s platform, Patchogue-Medford students are more aware of their academic standing and what they need to achieve to stay on track for college and career paths. This knowledge is empowering students to take control of their future.
Bringing Everyone Together for the Sake of the Students
“How can we make sure that no student falls through the cracks, and that we improve the communication from my office, from the coaches, guidance counselors. Everyone in education is spread really thin.”
One of the most significant improvements that Honest Game has brought to Pat-Med is enhancing communication between key stakeholders—students, parents, counselors, and coaches. With multiple parties involved in a student’s athletic and academic journey, keeping everyone on the same page is vital.
With Honest Game, schools and staff are able to easily communicate a student’s academic status and eligibility to all the important people in their support system. Whether it’s ensuring a counselor is aware of academic requirements or helping coaches monitor student progress, Honest Game ensures clarity and transparency at every step.
Your District is Next!
Honest Game has transformed communication across the Patchogue-Medford School District, helping keep students, parents, counselors, and coaches in sync. This best-in-class software provides accurate, error-free data that ensures student-athletes meet all necessary academic eligibility requirements.
Honest Game has opened up more post-secondary pathways for Pat-Med students, empowering them to stay informed and pursue future opportunities. The district’s success story serves as a model for other schools looking to streamline complicated processes and support their students more effectively.
Bring Honest Game to your district today and experience the impact of seamless academic tracking and planning college and career futures for all students. Set up a meeting with one of our experts to learn more about how Honest Game can support your district.