A proposal by the state Education Department would help non-teachers increase their chances to become coaches in schools throughout the state.
Teachers now have first cracks at the positions, and can replace a non-teacher in the sport.
The non-teacher would have to have three years coaching experience in the sport and complete courses in first aid and in coaching youths. There are three non-teachers coaching varsity sports in Fulton, Eggleston noted, and there are others at the lower levels. Non-teachers guiding varsity teams are Lyle Wilcox in boys soccer, Marge Malette in girls bowling and Dexter Hinman in boys swimming and diving. According to a survey by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, there are 5,300 non-teacher coaches or approximately 20 percent of the coaches. More than 1,000 of those are basketball coaches and 819 are soccer coaches.