A former Auburn physical education teacher and the current Moravia school district athletic director has been tapped to become the new executive director of Section III athletics.
Todd Mulvaney is expected to begin Aug. 16, replacing Interim Executive Director Tamela Ray.
Mulvaney’s announcement comes from the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (OCM BOCES), a public education agency that provides shared services for 23 school districts in Central New York. For the first time, the administration of Section III Athletics will fall under the BOCES umbrella, a structure that already exists in most of the 11 athletic sections that comprise the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). More than 100 high schools are part of Section III, the nonprofit governing body for interscholastic sports.
“OCM BOCES is excited about the upcoming partnership between our organization and Section III Athletics,” said OCM BOCES District Superintendent Matt Cook, Ed.D. “Many of the other sections in New York State have already formed a partnership with a BOCES in their region, and we have learned a lot from their successes along the way.”
Cook cited several benefits of moving the position to OCM BOCES. For example, school districts that share in the administrative costs of Section III will be partially reimbursed with state aid the following year, just as they do for other shared services at BOCES. In addition, districts will pay a set fee for each varsity sport and also receive state aid. Cook added that, by working with BOCES, Mulvaney will become part of a 75-year-old organization that’s dedicated to the overall welfare of students in the region, working with educators, school leaders, and community partners on a day-to-day basis.
Before hiring Mulvaney, OCM BOCES worked closely with Section III to hammer out the details of the new structure and partnership.
“Personally, I’m thrilled to have Todd Mulvaney join the team, as I first met Todd when he was taking administrative coursework and it didn’t take long to see he is a consummate professional and a great person,” Cook said.
Ray, the interim Section III executive director, was also pleased with Mulvaney’s selection, calling him “an asset for Section III.” Ray is a retired athletic director from Auburn, a past president of Section III, and a longtime executive committee member who has worked in the interim position since Jan. 1.
“Todd is a good communicator, with integrity and a strong work ethic,” Ray said. “His collaborative and transparent leadership style will serve Section III well as we transition to this partnership with OCM BOCES. I think the Section III athletic directors and sports coordinators will appreciate Todd’s vision and willingness to support them.”
Mulvaney said he is excited and thankful for the new role. The position follows 20 years of experience in coaching, teaching, school administration, and athletics.
“I am thrilled about my new role in Section III and grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “Section III has a rich history in New York State Athletics, and I am honored to be part of it. I am excited to serve and collaborate with our member schools and provide a meaningful experience for our student-athletes.”
Since July 2019, Mulvaney has worked as the Director of Health, Physical Education, Wellness, and Athletics — and as the Dean of Students — in the Moravia Central District. He continues to serve as the district’s boys’ varsity basketball coach, a position he first began in 2007 while working as a physical education teacher for the Auburn Enlarged City School District. After college, Mulvaney worked as a physical education teacher in Auburn for 14 years before continuing his career in Moravia.
His coaching accolades are numerous. They include a Class C state basketball championship in 2017, five Final Four teams, six Section IV Class C championships, and 10 division/conference championships. He has also received numerous “Coach of the Year” awards, including the New York State Athletic Administrators Positive Change Award in 2023.
His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Brockport and a master’s degree in health education and a Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Cortland.
Mulvaney currently lives in Moravia with his family.
