New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association

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NFHS Spring Sports Officials Appreciation Week - April 5-11, 202!

We are in the final season of the 2025-26 school year and that means we have one final group of officials to celebrate to close out the year. We are asking for the participation of all member state associations. Participation in officials’ appreciation weeks can be as simple or as extravagant as state associations and/or schools want it to be. Many schools will not only get their teams involved in the fun but will ask student groups on campus to get involved. It is a great community project for school student councils, spirit groups or other groups that serve as ambassadors to your school and community. Here are some ideas that have worked throughout the country:

Officials’ appreciation week banners and signage on the fence, wall, etc., surrounding the contest playing area.
Gift cards/cookies/donuts/other items presented to the crew by both the home and visiting team.
Photos of the officiating crew with both teams and coaches prior to the start of the game (or at the end, depending on timing).
Read a PSA at the start of the game, thanking the crew for working the contest.
Student escorts of the crew onto the field/court/pitch.
“Thank you” cards, signed by the team and coaching staff.
Special appreciation signage in the officials’ locker room.
Recorded “thank you” messages from student-athletes and coaches to officials, posted on social media.

These are just some examples of what schools can do – the possibilities are endless! From this, we recommend that schools of any of these events/recognitions and send them to their state associations to post on social media (or schools can post on their own social media). Tag the NFHS in any of these posts:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter/X

Feel free to email any outstanding examples to Donna Pappas at dpappas@nfhs.org so the NFHS can maintain their library. If a school celebrates officials’ appreciation weeks at other times of the year, let NFHS know so that they can showcase it.

CONTACT:
Dana Marie Pappas, CAA
dpappas@nfhs.org
Director of Officiating Services, NFHS

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#BenchBadBehavior

When fans, coaches, and parents act poorly at high school athletic events, we ALL lose. Especially our students.

Enough is enough. Let's all #BenchBadBehavior for good!

Join the NFHS and the NHIAA in emphasizing this urgent message all year long! Learn more at BenchBadBehvavior.com.

Download the Bench Bad Behavior Toolkit to spread the message at your school! Find Social Posts, Videos, and other resources at this link.

NFHS Winter Sports Officials Appreciation Week - January 12-18, 2025!


Milford Indoor Track & Field	Milford and Merrimack Valley Girls Basketball

Souhegan and Milford Boys Basketball

Milford and Merrimack Valley Girls Basketball


Milford Spirit	Winnisquam Regional Girls Basketball	Winnisquam Regional Girls Basketball

Check out the NHIAA schools that participated in the NFHS Winter Sports Officials Appreciation Week! Recognizing and appreciating officials may seem like a “little thing” but it goes a long way and, encourage schools to thank their officials all season long – not just during a special week.Schools, please post your initiatives on social media and tag the NFHS on the following social media platforms: