Overview
The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) provides NJSIAA Executive Committee and staff with resources, guidance, recommendations, and best practices that focus on the health and safety of student-athletes. The goals of the committee are as follows:
- Advise NJSIAA and its member schools on medical and safety issues and conditions as they relate to interscholastic sports rules and guidelines.
- Monitor, evaluate, and summarize current sports medicine information for review by NJSIAA and its member schools.
- Assist NJSIAA in identifying, prioritizing, and researching sports medicine issues by proactively addressing health and risk management issues of general or specific concern.
- Advise NJSIAA when necessary, of questions or concerns regarding protective or special equipment not specifically addressed in NFHS playing rules.
- Monitor, evaluate and interpret information emanating from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
- Provide resources, position statements or guidelines on sports medicine issues for publication to member schools as well as for content under the Health & Safety section of the NJSIAA website.
2025-2026 Committee
Peter Wenger, Chair (Family Medicine) - Princeton Sports & Family Medicine
Christopher Mendler, Past Chair (Family Medicine) - Holy Name Medical Center
Dean Padavan (Sports Medicine) - Atlantic Health System
Richard Kim (Physical Medicine & Rehab) - Princeton Sports & Family Medicine
Nick Avallone (Orthopaedics) - Atlantic Medical Group
Bert Mandelbaum (Pediatrics) - Princeton Nassau Pediatrics
Frank Silva (Pediatrics) - Summit Pediatrics
Mike Gross (Sports Psychology) - Princeton University & Tri-State Sports Psych
Sheryl Smith (Athletic Director) - Overbrook H.S.
Steven Barandica (ATSNJ President/Athletic Director) - Monroe H.S.
Danielle Palestina (Athletic Trainer/School Nurse) - Atlantic Sports Health
Christina Emrich (ATSNJ/Athletic Trainer) - Red Bank Regional H.S.
Jennifer Lipschutz (Certified School Nurse) - Hightstown H.S.
Pete Koeniges (Athletic Trainer) - Northern Highlands Regional H.S.
Lennie Parham (Non-Voting Member) - Department of Education
Tony Maselli (Non-Voting Member) - NJSIAA
Committee Meetings
The committee meets a minimum of three times per year in person. Sub-committees and working groups may be formed when necessary for specific topics or issues. The chair of the Committee may invite subject matter experts to attend a meeting when necessary.
Committee Proposals
NJSIAA SMAC may submit proposals to the Executive Committee to add, modify or remove policies or guidelines. Any proposal submitted to the Executive Committee will have two readings before final approval is received.
