MECHANICSBURG – As we kick off another school year and continue to trek towards the fall sports playoffs, it’s time to recognize the PIAA sports officials who do so much for student-athletes across the state.
The PIAA continues to dedicate a week during every sports season to recognize and show appreciation to the over 15,000 PIAA-registered officials. This is the fifth consecutive year of this initiative.
Member schools are asked to help show their support for Fall Sports Officials on October 5–11, 2025, Winter Sports Officials’ Appreciation on January 11–17, 2026 and Spring Sports Officials’ Appreciation Week is scheduled for April 5–12, 2026.
“Officials play a vital role, every day,” said PIAA Board of Directors President and PIAA District II Chairman Frank Majikes. “Games can’t be played without sports officials. Their unwavering efforts need to be recognized and given the well-deserved appreciation for all they do for Pennsylvania student-athletes. This is a time to celebrate and thank officials for their tireless efforts.”
President Majikes has been a registered PIAA official for over 50 years, so these weeks are especially meaningful to him.
Celebrating Officials Across Pennsylvania
Below are a few photos from the 2024 Fall Sports Officials’ Appreciation Week of member schools honoring officials.
About PIAA
Beginning in Pittsburgh, on December 29, 1913, PIAA was given the privilege of serving its member schools and registered officials by establishing policies and adopting contest rules that emphasize the educational values of interscholastic athletics, promote safe and sportsmanlike competition, and provide uniform standards for all interscholastic levels of competition.
PIAA was the first state to dedicate a week in every sports season to sports officials. It has since turned into a national recognition week with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) recognizing the same weeks. PIAA has taken pride in leading the way to celebrate all the hard work and dedication officials do for PIAA member schools and their student-athletes. There’s a lot to celebrate from the field to the courts and the courses—because without officials, games can’t happen.
The support for officials comes from all over as Senator Scott Martin is looking to introduce another resolution designating the 2025–26 Officials’ Appreciation Weeks in PA and Representative Anita Kulik has reintroduced legislation, that recently passed the House, on the Harassment of Sports Officials. Those considering becoming a PIAA official, please visit piaa.org/officials for more information.
Appreciation Weeks (2025–26)
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