The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) is declaring the week of April 4-9, 2022 as Spring Sport Officials Appreciation Week to thank and bring attention to the hard work and dedication of the nearly 5,500 MPSSAA registered sport officials in the state of Maryland.
Developed by the MPSSAA Sportsmanship Committee, the Spring Sport Officials Appreciation Week will be the third in a series of recognizing and celebrating registered sports officials throughout the 2021-2022 school year. The MPSSAA Spring Sports include baseball, softball, lacrosse, track and field, and tennis.
The first celebration took place October 18-23, 2021 to recognize those that officiated the MPSSAA fall sports of cross country, field hockey, football, soccer and volleyball. Winter Sport Officials Appreciation Week, the second celebration, took place January 10-15, 2022 to thank the officials in the sports of basketball, indoor track, swimming and diving, and wrestling.
The MPSSAA will host a School Bus Drivers' Appreciation Week May 2-6, 2022, thanking the thousands of school bus drivers who transport teams throughout the state.
The MPSSAA is requesting all member school communities, including but not limited to athletic directors, coaches, student-athletes, school administration, and athletic program supports to assist us in recognizing all MPSSAA registered sports officials during these weeks by highlighting actions that would thank officials for their dedication and involvement in interscholastic athletics.
Member schools have been provided with a list of activities they can use to show their appreciation as well as a pre-contest public address announcement to be read before all athletic contests. We also encourage everyone to participate in Officials Appreciation Week online by using the hashtag #ThankYouOfficials and tagging @MPSSAA_Org on Twitter.
During the past two years, the MPSSAA community has been reminded of just how important interscholastic athletics are to our member schools, students and communities. These opportunities and lifelong memories would not be possible without the hard work of officials. Do your part and “Thank an Official!” We thank you in advance for your participation in this worthy endeavor.
For more information on becoming an official, please visit the MPSSAA website at: Officials Association Central.