Keith McDermott, recently retired Director of the Reggie Lewis Center at Roxbury Community College, has joined the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) as a part-time Assistant Executive Director. 

Keith comes to the MIAA after an accomplished 30-year career in public and private educational institutions. McDermott has experienced athletics in Massachusetts as an athlete, coach, and administrator and successfully utilized these skills to navigate an impressive career in educational athletic leadership. During his 30-year career as meet director, Community Affairs Director – Northeastern University, Director of Athletics – Roxbury Community College, and Director of the Reggie Lewis Center, Keith has been a true leader for both his employers and the community. 

Keith has been active in volunteerism and service organizations in the Boston community since the early 1990s and continues to serve today. Keith’s commitment to excellence in educational and athletic leadership will transition seamlessly to his time and work with the MIAA. 

NFHS recently publicized track and field and cross country rule changes to take effect in the upcoming seasons:

4-3-1: Eliminates redundant language and expands definition of foundation garments.

Rationale: This change expands the current interpretation of foundation garment to include any item worn under the uniform top and/or bottom as well as eliminate duplicate language in same rule.

4-3-2: Clarifies uniform language for relay and cross country team members.

Rationale: Slight differences in design of uniform do not negatively impact the identification of a relay or cross country team. The expectation of this rule is that all relay and cross country team members can be clearly identified as representing the same school.

6-6-11, 6-8-12: Records measurement in discus and javelin to the nearest lesser inch or centimeter.

Rationale: Clarifies measurements when using metric system.

6-9-4, 6-9-5: Clarifies pit measurements for long jump and triple jump.

Rationale: Ensures pit measurements are within industry standards for safety.

8-1-1 thru 3: Clarifies legal course layout.

Rationale: Clarification of course markings.

8-3-2 thru 5: Clarifies order of finish based on torso.

Rationale: Clarifies that no matter the system used, the order of finish is based on when the torso crosses the finish line.

He was the husband of Takary M. (Young) Connor for 17 years. Son of Pamela Connor of Randolph and Melvin Clark of Farmville, VA, he was born in Boston and raised in Boston and Randolph. 

Joel was a graduate of Randolph High School, Class of 1992 and UMass-Amherst, Class of 1996. He also earned his Master's Degree in Public Health and Administration from UMass-Amherst. He was a resident of Stoughton for nearly 8 years. Joel was a school teacher at Kilmer Elementary School in West Roxbury for the past 2 years after teaching at Community Academy of Science and Health in Hyde Park for several years. He was active in Stoughton Youth Sports, in particular coaching youth basketball for several years.

In addition to his wife and parents, Joel is survived by his sons, Evan P. Connor, Elijah C. Connor and Ethan J. Connor all of Stoughton. He was the brother of Jason Connor of Brockton. He was the uncle of Clayton, Jeremiah, Julian and Anthony.