CHSAA Celebrates Fall Officials Appreciation Week This Week

AURORA, Co. – The Colorado High School Activities Association has designated the week of Sept. 25-30 as CHSAA Fall Officials Appreciation Week.

“High school game officials are valued partners in our mission as a state association to provide opportunities for hundreds of thousands of students to participate in educationally based athletics and activities throughout Colorado,” shared CHSAA Commissioner Michael Krueger. “They devote so much time, passion and dedication to their profession; a profession which at the core is truly about servant leadership. Sometimes a simple thank you doesn’t seem like enough. We just want them to know that we are all sincerely grateful for each and every one of them, our programs exist because they are part of our team.”

During the week-long campaign, CHSAA member schools are encouraged to celebrate their officials, which can be achieved in several ways, both big and small. Some ways schools are encouraged to honor their officials include:

• Making banners or signage for Officials Appreciation Week,
• Having the home and visiting team present items such as baked goods or gift cards to the officiating crew,
• Thank you cards and messages,
• Having a PSA thanking the crew before the game, and much more!

“We’re excited to see our officials numbers growing and getting back to where they were before the pandemic hit,” said CHSAA Assistant Commissioner Mike Book, who oversees officials. “We’re always so grateful to the people who give their time to serve these often thankless, but critical, roles. A lot of officials officiate on the side or simply because of their love of the game. Without them, student-athletes and schools wouldn’t be able to compete the way they do.”

Through CHSAA’s ‘You Look Good in Stripes Campaign,’ which was aimed at helping with the shortage of officials the nation is facing, the association was able to add 183 officials across nine different sports so far this year.

For schools that are able to celebrate the week and push it out on social media, please tag @CHSAA on Facebook, Twitter, Threads or Instagram. You can also submit photos to CHSAA directly through this form.