Baltimore, Maryland – November 15, 2024 - The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) is excited to announce the addition of Melissa Nash Mertz as Director of Communications and Compliance.

Melissa brings 25 years of state athletic association experience to the MPSSAA. Melissa served as the Associate Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) from July of 1998 to December 2023.  During her tenure at PIAA, Melissa was Tournament Director for Field Hockey, Softball, Lacrosse, Swimming & Diving and Competitive Cheer championships.  She also was the administrator for member schools, media relations, student leadership, tournament sanctioning and by-law interpretation.

In addition to her PIAA experience, Melissa has also served on several NFHS committees, including being selected as Chair of the National Field Hockey Rules Committee and the National Swimming & Diving Rules Committee.  She has also served two terms on the NFHS Strategic Planning Committee and one term on the NFHS Technology Committee.  With a strong background in championship administration, member school relations and national committee experience, Melissa will play a key role in the MPSSAA.

Most recently, Melissa worked for a marketing firm in which she procured sponsorships and developed marketing campaigns for clients.  She plans to assist the MPSSAA with securing additional sponsorships with this experience.

"Melissa's combination of national and state association experience in education-based athletics will be a tremendous asset to the MPSSAA," said MPSSAA Executive Director Andy Warner.  "Her knowledge of interscholastic athletics, state championship administration, marketing, and promotion will be valuable to the MPSSAA's mission of enhancing the mental, physical, and social-emotional well-being of the over 118,000 annual participants in school-sponsored athletics."  

Melissa was an All-American field hockey player at Shippensburg University where she earned a degree in marketing.  In 2009 Melissa was inducted into the Shippensburg University Athletic Hall of Fame.  Melissa resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her twin children, Ryder and Hailey.