OCM BOCES announces new director of Section III Athletics

OCM BOCES announces new director of Section III Athletics

Thurs., April 11, 2024

Jason Czarny will become the new Executive Director of Section III Athletics after serving as its assistant director since August.

Czarny, a former Onondaga Central School District athletic director, was honored to be selected for the new role. He said he looks forward to continuing his work “with all of the dedicated individuals throughout Section III.

“Interscholastic sports produce experiences that lead to long-lasting memories,” he said. “I am honored to be in a position to help shape these experiences in a positive and meaningful way.”

Czarny will replace Interim Section III Executive Director Timothy P. Ryan, a retired superintendent from the Fabius-Pompey Central School District.

Ryan took the helm in December after Moravia Athletic Director Todd Mulvaney left the position after a few months to return to his previous job. Czarny expects to officially start in his new role by early June.

Section III President Michael Clonan, director of athletics, physical education and health for the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District, said he was “excited for the opportunity to continue working with Jason.”

“His leadership and enthusiasm for the position is infectious and puts Section III in great hands moving forward,” Clonan said. “I have no doubt that he is up to the task and look forward to his future contributions to all of our schools, section-wide."

OCM BOCES District Superintendent Matthew Cook, Ed.D., was also pleased with the choice.

"We are very excited to see Jason step into this new role and continue the good work he began as assistant director,” he said. “It's been a pleasure to be part of this process and continue to grow the partnership between Section III and OCM BOCES."

OCM BOCES became the umbrella organization for Section III’s administrative team in 2023, a move that followed the example of 7 of the 11 other athletic sections in New York State. Section III supports student-athletes in more than 100 schools across the region.

Czarny started his position with Section III in August, a change that followed seven years of work as athletic director for Onondaga Central Schools. In addition to his district duties, Czarny served as president of the Onondaga High School League and was a member of several league committees. He also served as the Athletic Council representative for Section III and worked as a member of its classification, constitution and modified committees.

Czarny, who graduated from West Genesee High School, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education from SUNY Cortland. He also earned his Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) from SUNY Cortland in 2022.

With Czarny’s appointment as executive director, OCM BOCES will soon be interviewing for someone to assume his role as assistant director.

In the photo, Czarny poses at the JMA Wireless Dome during the state high school football finals in December with Robert Briggs and Geona Wood, both members of the Section III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.