The MSSADA Messenger
Newsletter of the Massachusetts HS Athletic Directors
2020-2021 ~ Volume II ~ December 23, 2020
A message from our MSSADA Executive Director...
I hope this message finds everyone healthy, safe and well as we begin the Holiday season.
Thank you to all Massachusetts High School Athletic Directors for your tireless efforts throughout this unprecedented global pandemic, which has presented us with many new and unanticipated obstacles.
I've been so impressed with the level of effort and commitment witnessed during the Fall athletic season, which has transitioned to the start of what will be a challenging Winter season.
This newsletter communication is to announce and recognize the many 2020-21 MSSADA award winners, and celebrate their accomplishments within high school interscholastic athletics.
In closing, please take the necessary time to enjoy the Holidays with your families, as you have gone above and beyond to offer a safe athletic experience for your student-athletes and school communities.
Happy Holidays and New Year!
FRANCIS WHITTEN III
Executive Director - MSSADA
A message from our MSSADA President...
Dear MSSADA Membership,
Congratulations to all of the 2020 - 2021 MSSADA Award winners!
These great men, women and student-athletes are being recognized for their outstanding achievements in Massachusetts High School athletics.
Our award winners are a few examples of the great work being performed on a daily basis in our state. These individuals should be proud of their accomplishments and have set a great example for all interscholastic athletic stakeholders.
I encourage all Massachusetts Athletic Directors to continue providing their student-athletes, coaches and communities opportunities for growth and success within the programs they oversee.
I wish everyone a happy, safe and restful Holiday season, looking forward to 2021!
JAY COSTA
President - MSSADA
2020 - 2021 MSSADA AWARD RECIPIENTS
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
The Executive Board, on the recommendation of the District Representatives, annually selects eight athletic administrators (one from each of the eight MIAA athletic districts) to receive the District Athletic Director of the Year Award. Recipients of the District Athletic Director of the Year Award are selected from persons nominated by their respective district athletic directors associations. This award recognizes athletic administrators from across the state that have excelled in the profession.
In addition, the Executive Board, at the recommendation of the Athletic Director of the Year Selection Committee, selects one individual to receive the MSSADA Athletic Director of the Year Award. The recipient of this award will have made significant contributions within the field of athletic administration at the local, state and national levels and will represent our association at regional and national competitions.
STATE RECIPIENT
ANDREW CRISAFULLI
Dartmouth High School
DISTRICT RECIPIENTS
District A
Central Catholic High School
District B
Boston Public Schools
District C
Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
District E
PATRICK MARA
Millbury High School
District F
Holyoke High School
District G
JARRED SHANNON
Wahconah High School
TED DAMKO AWARD
The Executive Board, on the recommendation of the District Representatives, will recognize one individual as recipient of the Ted Damko Award. The recipient of this award will be an athletic administrator having five or less years of experience in the field and will have made significant contributions to the school, league, district and state.
STATE RECIPIENT
ANN PALUMBO
Tyngsboro High School
DISTRICT RECIPIENTS
District A
Methuen High School
District B
Boston Public Schools
District C
Hopkinton High School
District D
Greater New Bedford Vocational
District F
Springfield Public Schools
District G
Mount Everett High School
NIAAA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
"INSIDE THE FIELD OF ATHLETICS"
The Executive Board, on the recommendation of the District Representatives or any Board member, may recognize one NIAAA member each year as the recipient of the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of their length of service, special accomplishments and contributions to athletic administration at the local, state and national levels.
THOM HOLDGATE
Duxbury High School
NIAAA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
"OUTSIDE THE FIELD OF ATHLETICS"
The Executive Board, on the recommendation of the District Representatives or any Board member, may recognize one individual each year from outside the field of athletic administration as recipient of the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of their length of service, special accomplishments and contributions to athletic administration at the local, state and national levels.
DAVE UMINSKI
Oakmont Regional High School
NIAAA STATE AWARD OF MERIT
The Executive Board, on the recommendation of the District Representatives or any Board member, may recognize one NIAAA member each year as a recipient of the NIAAA State Award of Merit in recognition of meritorious service, exemplary leadership and special contributions to interscholastic athletics at the local and state levels.
TANIA RICH
Nashoba Regional High School
NFHS CITATION
NFHS Citations are awarded to individuals whose contributions have impacted high school activity programs through their association.
JAMES DAVIS
Belmont High School
PRESIDENT'S AWARD OF MERIT
The President, on the recommendation of any Executive Board member, may select a number of athletic administrators (not to exceed six) to receive the President's Award of Merit. Recipients of this award will be recognized for their length of service, special accomplishments and contributions to high school athletics at the local and state levels.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
KELLY FARLEY WOLFF - Swampscott High School - District A
MARC ARRIA - Winchester High School - District B
JOSEPH RUSSO - Mansfield High School - District C
JOSEPH FRANCIS - Somerset-Berkley Regional High School - District D
ERIC DAWLEY - Oakmont High School - District E
DAVID STRATTON - Agawam Public Schools - District F
DAVE RACETTE - Drury High School - District G
DAN SHINE - Arlington Catholic High School - District H
JOAO RODRIGUES AWARD
The Executive Board, on the recommendation of the District Representatives, annually recognizes one individual from each of the eight MIAA athletic districts who has volunteered their services to the schools and communities in their districts. The recipient of this award will not be a paid member of the coaching staff but will have a long standing involvement with the high school activities programs at the local level.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
ERNIE GREEN - Boston Public Schools - District B
GREGORY PARTYKA - Hingham High School - District C
MARGARET GANNON - Durfee High School - District D
NICK DUTTON - Ayer-Shirley High School - District E
JEFF LAJOIE - Greenfield Recorder Newspaper - District F
CELIA NORCROSS - Hoosac Valley High School - District G
RICHARD E. LEWIS AWARD
The Executive Board, on the recommendation of the District Representatives, or any board member, may recognize one member each year as a recipient of the Richard E. Lewis Award.
This award will be presented to an individual who embodies the virtues of an outstanding, model athletic administrator. This individual should be someone who is recognized by colleagues for his/her continued support and guidance of other in the profession.
In addition, this individual should be someone who has brought new individuals into the profession, as well as helped others continue to grow in their roles as athletic administrators. He/she should be someone who fully supports the athletic administration profession, all that it encompasses; and one who shows it through his/her work at the league, district, and state level.
PETER JONES
Advanced Math & Science Academy
YOSHITAKA ANDO ATHLETIC TRAINER OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to an Athletic Trainer for their exceptional service and unique contributions to the athletic training profession.
WALTER HILDEBRAND
Shrewsbury High School
OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
This award is presented to an athletic administrative assistant for their significant contributions and leadership to interscholastic athletics for their school and community.
LOU SANBORN
Hopkinton High School
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD
This award was established to honor an individual who possesses commitment and dedication to the vision of Professional Development at both the state and local levels.
KARRAH ELLIS
Tantasqua Regional High School
MICKEY SULLIVAN AWARD
The Mickey Sullivan Student Achievement Award is to recognize students who have made a meaningful and lasting contribution to high school athletics.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
DAVID LOMBARDI - Malden High School
BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
TIM BROWN - Medway High School
JACK O'NEIL, ZACK SOUZA, CHEYENNE SEQUEIRA & EDNA BROWN - Ayer-Shirley High School
AMANDA MIECZKOWSKI - Northhampton High School
WAHCONAH / HOOSAC VALLEY TOYS FOR TOTS
Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association
FRANCIS WHITTEN III - MSSADA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Director of Athletics - Algonquin Regional High School (retired)
Email: fwhittentd@gmail.com
Twitter: @MSSADA9
Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association
Director of Athletics - Shrewsbury High School
Email: jcosta@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
Twitter: @ColonialsAD
2020 - 2021 MSSADA EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS
KEITH MANGAN - 1st VICE PRESIDENT
MATT TRAHAN - 2nd VICE PRESIDENT
TOM TARPEY - 3rd VICE PRESIDENT
ANDREW CRISAFULLI - PAST PRESIDENT
TANIA RICH - SECRETARY
JOHN LYNCH - TREASURER