Senate Approves New DIAA Board of Directors
Senate Approves New DIAA Board of Directors
Dover, Delaware – December 17, 2024 – The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) is pleased to announce the official appointment of its newly restructured Board of Directors under Senate Bill 259. The DIAA Board now consists of 17 members, including 15 voting members and 2 non-voting members, representing all counties across the state. The newly appointed Board reflects a diverse and experienced group committed to advancing interscholastic athletics and supporting student-athletes throughout Delaware.
The composition of the Board includes representatives from all three counties – New Castle, Kent, and Sussex – ensuring statewide representation and equitable perspectives for the governance of DIAA policies and initiatives. The appointed members bring expertise from various sectors, including education, athletics, administration, and community leadership.
“We are excited to welcome this new group of leaders to the DIAA Board of Directors,” said David Baylor, Executive Director of DIAA. “Their collective knowledge and commitment to supporting student-athletes will play a crucial role in strengthening interscholastic athletics and fostering growth for all sports programs in Delaware.”
The newly appointed Board members will immediately begin their responsibilities, focusing on key initiatives such as program development, student-athlete leadership, sportsmanship, competition, and enhancing the overall experience of interscholastic athletics for students, schools, and the community.
DIAA extends its gratitude to Governor John Carney for nominating this group and to the Senate for its confirmation of these individuals who will uphold the mission and values of interscholastic sports in Delaware.
DIAA would also like to thank the outgoing Board members for their dedicated service, hard work, and unwavering commitment to supporting student-athletes and interscholastic athletics. Their contributions have been invaluable in advancing DIAA’s mission and fostering a positive environment for sports programs across the state.
Below is detailed information about the makeup of the new Board and the DIAA Board of Directors. This information is also listed on our website at https://education.delaware.gov/diaa/governance/bod/. The newly appointed Board will convene in February for their first official Board meeting.
DIAA Board of Directors Established by Senate Bill 259
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) Board of Directors has been restructured under Senate Bill 259. The Board is now comprised of 17 members, including 15 voting members and 2 nonvoting members. This composition ensures broad representation across Delaware’s schools, athletic communities, and related professional fields.
Board Makeup by Statute:
- President of the Delaware Chief School Officers Association or a
- Three public school principals, each representing a different county and a DIAA member
- One nonpublic school head (or equivalent) representing a member
- Four athletic directors, with three representing different counties and one representing a nonpublic
- One sports medicine professional, which may include:
- A Physician,
- A Physician Assistant, or
- An Advanced Practice Registered
- One mental or behavioral health specialist employed by a member
- One athletic trainer.
- Three public members, appointed by the Speaker of the House, the Senate Pro Tempore, and the Governor. These individuals must meet the following criteria:
- One member may be a parent of a current or recent student-athlete,
- All members must be Delaware residents for at least 3 years,
- Members must be knowledgeable about athletics,
- Members cannot be employees of a member school or have financial interests in providing goods/services to DIAA or member schools.
- Nonvoting Members:
- The Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation of the University of Delaware (or designee).
- The Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation of Delaware State University (or designee).
Appointments and Tenure:
- Members are appointed by the Governor with Senate consent, except for members appointed by the Speaker of the House and Senate Pro Tempore.
- Members serve until a replacement is appointed following the same
- A school district or nonpublic school may not have more than one representative on the
Member Accountability: Board members are expected to attend regular meetings. A member is deemed in neglect of duty if absent from three consecutive meetings or if attendance falls below 50% annually, unless excused for good cause by the Board.
Below is a listing of the DIAA Board of Directors positions as of the Senate Confirmation Hearings on December 16, 2024
| Affiliation | Appointee | Date of Appointment |
| President Delaware Chiefs School Association | Dr. Dorrell Greene | By Affiliation |
| Public School Principal (New Castle County) | Jason Bastianelli | 12/16/2024 |
| Public School Principal (Kent County) | Freeman Williams III | 12/16/2024 |
| Public School Principal (Sussex County) | Kristin DeGregory | 12/16/2024 |
| Nonpublic School Head of School | Fr. J. Christian Beretta | 12/16/2024 |
| Athletic Director (New Castle County) | TBD | Pending |
| Athletic Director (Kent County) | Bill Schultz | Pending |
| Athletic Director (Sussex County) | Chad Jones | 12/16/2024 |
| Athletic Director (Nonpublic School) | Lauren DiSabatino | Pending |
| Physician, PA, Registered Nurse | Dr. Bradley Bley | 12/16/2024 |
| Mental or Behavioral Health Specialist | Trisha Stiles | 12/16/2024 |
| Athletic Trainer | Kathleen Kenny | 12/16/2024 |
| Public Member (Governor) | Amber Hickman-Taylor | 12/16/2024 |
| Public Member (House Speaker) | TBD | Pending |
| Public Member (Senate Pro Tempore) | TBD | Pending |
| Non-Voting Members | ||
| Director Athletics/Designee (University of Delaware) | TBD | Pending |
| Director Athletics/Designee (Delaware State University) | TBD | Pending |
About DIAA
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) regulates interscholastic athletics and promotes the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, and integrity for Delaware high schools. DIAA oversees numerous sports and activities, ensuring equitable opportunities for all student-athletes.
For DIAA media inquiries, please contact: Caitlin Finkley at Caitlin.Finkley@doe.k12.de.us For more information, contact DIAA at 302-857-3365.