Mendon-Upton Regional School Superintendent Maureen Cohen and Nipmuc Regional High School Co-Principals Mary Anne Moran and John Clements are pleased to announce that Nipmuc Regional High School Athletic Director Chris Schmidt has been selected as Division 2 Athletic Director of the Year by the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association (MSSADA)

Co-Principals Moran and Clements congratulated Schmidt, citing his leadership and significant accomplishments on behalf of the District and its students, such as revitalizing parent groups, establishing leadership training for student-athletes, revamping awards and celebrations, and launching e-sports programs to expand student involvement.

Schmidt also has used his advocacy to expand awareness of mental health. In 2022 he collaborated with the Kyle Cares Foundation to host a conference with all Dual Valley Conference (DVC) captains. Students received training, knowledge, and inspiration to use athletics to promote and destigmatize mental health. This led to the formation of a student club to continue this vital work.

“Over the course of his years at our school, Chris has led - without exaggeration - a transformational change in our athletic department,” Co-Principals Moran and Clements shared. “He began this work by meeting with student-athletes, coaches, teachers, parents, and community members to learn about their hopes for our athletic program. He then skillfully developed a formal vision and action plan that have helped Nipmuc athletics not only to achieve in competition but also to be a driver of our core values and a tremendous source of school and community pride.”