13 Leaders in High School Activity Programs to Receive 2026 NFHS Citations

Thirteen leaders in high school activity programs across the country have been selected to receive NFHS Citations.

An award designed to honor individuals who have made contributions to the NFHS, state high school associations, athletic director and coaching professions, the officiating avocation and fine arts/performing arts programs, the NFHS Citation is one of the most highly regarded achievements in high school athletics and performing arts.

Citations for state high school associations, coaching, officiating and performing arts will be presented June 28 at the annual NFHS Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.     

Eight of the 13 award recipients represent NFHS-member state high school associations, and the other five represent NFHS professional organizations for officials, coaches, music leaders and speech/debate/theatre directors.

The eight 2026 state association Citation recipients are Mike Burnham, Section 1, executive assistant, Maine Principals’ Association (MPA); Pat Gebhart, Section 2, chief operating officer, Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA); Richard McWhirter, Section 3, assistant executive director, Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA); Andy Frushour, Section 4, senior assistant director, Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA); Brenda Schell, Section 5, retired technology director, North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA); Sally Marquez, Section 6, retired executive director, New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA); Ellen Townsend, Section 7, coordinator of officials, Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA); and the late Kyle Stanfield, Section 8, former chief operating officer, Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA).  

The 2026 Citation recipients representing the NFHS professional organizations are the late Dr. Thomas “Buster” Mabrey, NFHS Coaches Association, former executive director, New Mexico High School Coaches Association, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Mark Jones, NFHS Officials Association, retired director of officials, Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), Montgomery, Alabama; Dr. Michael Golemo, NFHS Music Association, director of bands, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; Neomia Hagans Flores, NFHS Speech/Debate/Theatre Association (speech and debate), speech and debate coach, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, Kentucky; and Tim Schlegel, NFHS Speech/Debate/Theatre Association (theatre), theatre director, Sterling (Illinois) High School.  

Following is biographical information on this year’s Citation recipients: 

Mike Burnham, Maine
Section 1

At every level of his career in education, Mike Burnham has proven to be a trusted leader who puts the needs of students first. Beginning his career as a teacher and coach more than 40 years ago at Gardiner (Maine) Area High School, Burnham is currently the executive director of the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA), a position he has held since 2019.

In addition to teaching and coaching at Gardiner and later at Monmouth (Maine) Academy, Burnham served the officiating community as a member of the Kennebec/Somerset Board of Baseball Umpires and the IABBO Board #20 for Basketball Officials.

Burnham began his administrative career in 1989 as assistant principal/athletic administrator at Monmouth and began serving on numerous MPA committees. He continues to be a member of both the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. In 2003, he became the school’s principal. As principal, Burnham served as the site director for the MPA’s basketball and cheerleading championships.

In 2008, he moved to the MPA as assistant executive director, where he has administered multiple sports, including basketball, baseball, ice hockey and football. Burnham also previously oversaw the MPA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, Officials Advisory Committee and Athletic Director Advisory Committee. His tenure at the MPA has also seen the development of the “Hall of Excellence” and the introduction of Unified Sports.

Burnham’s time at the MPA is also where he began expanding his influence on the national level. He has been a member of several NFHS committees including its Citizenship, Summer Meeting Advisory and Ice Hockey Rules committees. Shortly after becoming executive director, Burnham began serving a term on the NFHS Board of Directors.

Burnham is a 1982 graduate of Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. In 2003, he earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Southern Maine.

Pat Gebhart, Pennsylvania
Section 2

Pat Gebhart has been a leader in the Pennsylvania officiating community even before he joined the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and was a captain in the Pennsylvania State Police Department.

In addition to his career in law enforcement, Gebhart officiated basketball at the high school level and in all three NCAA divisions. In 2012, he officiated the PIAA Class 3A basketball final, which was his final game as an official before joining the PIAA as assistant executive director. Earlier this year, Gebhart was named PIAA chief operating officer.

At the PIAA, Gebhart oversees the officials department, which, under his leadership, has been an increase in registered officials to more than 15,000. He also organizes the annual PIAA Officials Convention.

In addition to his officials responsibilities, Gebhart is the PIAA sport administrator for basketball and football.

At the national level, Gebhart has served on the NFHS Summer Meeting Advisory Committee and has been a moderator and speaker at several national meetings.

Gebhart earned a bachelor’s degree from Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania) College and a master’s degree in criminal justice from California University of Pennsylvania.

Richard McWhirter, Tennessee
Section 3

Richard McWhirter has been a leader in high school athletics in the state of Tennessee for more than 40 years. Since 2010, he has been an assistant executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) overseeing the sports of football, cross country, and track and field.

However, McWhirter is best known for his advancement of middle school athletics in Tennessee. Under his direction, the TSSAA middle school division more than doubled its membership of middle schools and now hosts 23 state championships in seven sports. McWhirter has regularly been a presenter on middle school issues at national meetings.

Nationally, McWhirter recently completed a term as chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and has been Tennessee’s voting member on the committee since 2010.

Prior to joining the TSSAA, McWhirter was the activities coordinator for the Clarksville Montgomery County School System. He also was a TSSAA football official for 27 years and a baseball and softball official for eight years.

Andy Frushour, Michigan
Section 4

Andy Frushour is in his 25th year at the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), currently serving as a senior assistant director in charge of marketing, girls and boys soccer, and student services. His tenure has been most notably defined by his leadership in making the MHSAA a national leader in digital initiatives and communication, and he has spearheaded several efforts to bring student voices into decisions affecting their activities.

After beginning his tenure in the communications department, Frushour created the MHSAA's marketing and brand team, which produces everything from media communications, sports information, website content and social media content. It also handles ticketing, corporate sales and merchandise. As part of his digital branding contributions, Frushour has served as the lead contributor on every website redesign since 1999, created the Michigan Power Rating formula now used for seeding in eight MHSAA tournament sports, and led Michigan's efforts to exclusively use digital tickets for postseason events.

Frushour also has steered the MHSAA to adopt a more prominent focus on students through the creation of several programs, including the Student Advisory Council, a series of annual interactive sportsmanship summits and captains clinics, and the “Battle of the Fans” student section competition.

Building off that work, he has developed and created four free courses on the NFHS Learning Center addressing team captains.

Frushour also has served on NFHS committees for soccer, student services, summer meeting and strategic planning, and he has been a speaker at several Summer Meetings and one NFHS Winter Meeting, and at the National Athletic Directors Conference.

After graduating in 1995 from Mason (Michigan) High School – where he played baseball and golf – Frushour attended Hope College, where he majored in business administration and minored in communications, graduating in 1999. He received an MBA in sports business from Arizona State University in 2003. Frushour and his wife, Emily, have two daughters, Abby and Kate, who attend the University of Michigan.

Brenda Schell, North Dakota
Section 5

Brenda Schell helped guide the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) through a period of sweeping technological changes, and she laid the foundation for many of the digital systems still in use today.

After spending her first nine years with Valley City Public Schools as an administrative assistant, Schell became the district’s first full-time technology director in 1999, a role she held until 2007. She joined the NDHSAA in 2007, serving as the association’s technology director and tennis administrator until 2021 when she retired after 14 years of service.

As the NDHSAA’s first technology director, Schell led the modernization of statewide systems. Her efforts included designing and implementing online registration and requirements tracking for officials; overseeing the creation and ongoing updates of the NDHSAA website; implementing online testing and rules clinics; facilitating the adoption of shared digital file systems; and managing a comprehensive five-year technology plan that included the association’s technology budget.

Schell was a charter member of the North Dakota Association of Technology Leaders and served as its president from 2005 to 2006. She received a Special Recognition Award from the North Dakota High School Coaches Association in 2013 and an Award of Merit in 2021.

In addition to regularly presenting information to coaches, officials, school administrators and the NDHSAA Board of Directors, Schell has also served as a presenter at the NFHS Summer Meeting.

Schell is a 1975 graduate of Valley City High School, located about 60 miles west of Fargo. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Valley City State University in 2008.

Sally Marquez, New Mexico
Section 6

Guided by a lifelong commitment to education and athletics, Sally Marquez steered the New Mexico Activities Association through more than a decade of growth and cultural change, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of young people along the way.

Marquez joined the NMAA in 2004 as an associate director and was promoted to assistant executive director in 2011. She then served as executive director from 2012 until her retirement in 2024.

Under Marquez’s leadership, participation in NMAA programs increased, and sportsmanship initiatives expanded. Those efforts included the Compete With Class Initiative and the Two Strikes Sportsmanship Bylaw, which emphasized accountability and respect in education-based athletics.

Beyond her role in New Mexico, Marquez’s influence extended nationally. She was on the NFHS Board of Directors, representing Section 6, from 2019 to 2023 and elected president of the NFHS for the 2022-23 school year. Marquez also contributed to several NFHS committees, including the Equity Committee, Volleyball Rules Committee, Basketball Rules Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Summer Meeting Advisory Committee, NFHS Appeals Committee and the NFHS Foundation Board of Directors.

Marquez’s educational career spanned 40 years. Prior to joining the NMAA, she held positions in New Mexico, Virginia and Texas, including mathematics teacher, dean of students, assistant principal and director of personnel.

A graduate of Manzano High School in Albuquerque, Marquez was a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball, and track and field. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico, where she was a four-year member of the women’s basketball team, and her master’s degree from Virginia Tech. Marquez was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

Ellen Townsend, Nevada
Section 7

Ellen Townsend has dedicated more than a half-century to volleyball in Nevada, leaving a lasting impact on the sport and the student-athletes who have participated in it.

Townsend is in her 51st season officiating high school volleyball, having worked every year since the sport was sanctioned in Nevada. She has served as assigner for the Northern Nevada Volleyball Officials Association for the past 38 years and has been the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association state rules interpreter for volleyball since 1987.

In her role as officials coordinator of the NIAA, Townsend conducts rules clinics for officials statewide, leads preseason rules meetings for coaches and provides training clinics. She also assists coaches with training scorers and libero trackers, helping ensure consistency and accuracy at competitions across the state.

Townsend organized and helped implement an Officials’ Appreciation Week each season to foster stronger relationships among officials, school administrators and coaches.

At the national level, she served on the NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee from 2019 to 2023 and was a member of the volleyball officials manual committee in 2012. Townsend also serves as a primary contact with NFHS sport representatives, distributing rules interpretations, questionnaires, surveys and other key information to coaches and officials throughout Nevada.

Townsend’s contributions have been widely recognized. She has been inducted into the Churchill County High School Hall of Fame and the University of Nevada - Reno Hall of Fame. She also received the Robert L. Lindsey Meritorious Service Award from USA Volleyball in 2013.

In addition to her volleyball service, Townsend coached basketball for 30 seasons at multiple levels, high school softball for seven seasons, and middle school track for three seasons, further reflecting her longstanding commitment to education-based athletics.

 
Kyle Stanfield, Oregon
Section 8

The late Kyle Stanfield personified the values of the Oregon School Activities Association, and his legacy will be felt for generations to come.

Stanfield died November 16, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer that spanned more than eight years. He was widely known for his kindness and ability to make others feel heard, respected and valued, and generous spirit and thoughtful perspective left a lasting impression on all who worked with him.

Throughout his career, Stanfield was known for combining professionalism with genuine care for people, always placing relationships at the center of his work. His influence extended beyond organizational roles, shaping the culture of education-based athletics in Oregon and beyond.

Stanfield joined the OSAA in 2007 as director of public relations and marketing. His strong people skills and leadership quickly led to expanded responsibilities as an assistant executive director, a role that connected him with every sport and activity sanctioned by the association. He specifically oversaw basketball, golf, cheerleading and dance/drill.

In 2023, Stanfield was promoted to chief operating officer. He was passionate about the OSAA Foundation, playing a key role in its growth, and the individuals it impacted.

At the national level, Stanfield was a respected marketing and public relations professional with the NFHS. He attended numerous national and regional meetings, where he was regarded as a leader for his work with sponsors, awards programs and the NFHS Network, among other topics. Stanfield also served the NFHS through multiple years of service on the Summer Meeting Advisory Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee.

Stanfield graduated from Hensley High School in 2002 and Oregon State University in 2006. He is survived by his wife, Kelly, and their two sons, Grant and Chase.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Thomas Mabrey, New Mexico
NFHS Coaches Association

Dr. Thomas “Buster” Mabrey was a lifelong champion of New Mexico high school athletics – and one of the state’s most passionate advocates for coaches and the coaching profession. His sudden passing on December 30, 2024, marked the end of a remarkable 16-year tenure as executive director of the New Mexico High School Coaches Association (NMHSCA), during which he transformed the organization and elevated the voice, visibility and value of coaches across the state.

Mabrey graduated from Hobbs (New Mexico) High School in 1985 and served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Aspro, a nuclear submarine stationed in Hawaii. After his service, he returned to New Mexico and began officiating basketball while working in the oil fields. His coaching career began in 1992 at Mayfield High School, where he was part of three football state championships and led the track team to a district title.    

Mabrey later served with the New Mexico Activities Association and, in 2006, became the athletic director at Piedra Vista High School. In 2008, he stepped into his most influential role as executive director of the NMHSCA. During the ensuing 16 years, he dedicated himself to strengthening the profession of coaching – developing programs to support professional growth, organizing statewide clinics and all-star events, and building partnerships that provided new opportunities for coaches and athletes alike.

Mabrey believed deeply in the power of coaching to change lives. He was more than an administrator – he was a mentor, motivator and tireless promoter of those who dedicate their lives to guiding young people. Through his leadership, the NMHSCA became not only a strong and supportive organization but also a respected advocate for the coaching profession in New Mexico and beyond. His legacy lives on through the countless coaches he mentored, the athletes they continue to inspire, and the association he strengthened. That legacy is carried forward by his wife, Lori Mabrey, who served on the NMHSCA Board of Directors and continues to uphold the values that defined his life’s work.

In recognition of his lifelong service and his unwavering advocacy for coaches, Mabrey was posthumously inducted into the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2025. His impact on coaching – and on the people who make it their calling – will never be forgotten.   

Mark Jones, Alabama
NFHS Officials Association

Beginning in 1979, Mark Jones dedicated more than three decades to officiating high school sports. His officiating journey encompassed three sports – basketball, football and baseball – showcasing his versality and commitment to promoting fair play at the high school level.

Jones officiated high school baseball until 1990, high school football until 2007 and high school basketball until 2014, amassing years of experience that have shaped his understanding of sportsmanship and the rules of the game.

Jones served as director of officials for the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) from 2016 to 2020, where he was responsible for the overall administration of officials across all sports. His role included the registration, training, scheduling and payment of officials, ensuring that the highest standards of officiating were maintained throughout the state. He also oversaw championship events, a testament to his ability to handle high-pressure situations with professionalism and skill.

In addition, Jones was director of recreational sports at Jacksonville State University for 32 years. He not only managed recreational sports programs but also played a significant role in educating the next generation of officials by teaching sports officiating classes for 28 years. This experience deepened his commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting inclusivity in sports.

Jones’ dedication extended beyond officiating as he served on various committees and held leadership positions, including serving as City Council President and Mayor of Jacksonville. His profound impact on the community is evidenced by his active involvement in initiatives that enhance local recreational opportunities. 

Dr. Michael Golemo, Iowa
NFHS Music Association

For more than four decades, Dr. Michael Golemo has been a defining influence in music education, artistic leadership, and statewide music advocacy. As director of bands at Iowa State University since 1999, Dr. Golemo has shaped one of the nation’s most vibrant and comprehensive undergraduate band programs, conducting the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band while teaching the University’s conducting curriculum. In 2021, he earned the institution’s prestigious title of University Professor, an honor reserved for faculty whose contributions significantly elevate the academic and artistic life of the university.

Golemo’s impact extends far beyond the podium. From 2005 to 2017, he served as chair of the Department of Music & Theatre at Iowa State, overseeing 45 faculty members and guiding programs that reflect both artistic rigor and broad student access.

Before arriving at Iowa State, he held a 15-year tenure as assistant director of bands at the University of Akron, where he directed athletic and symphonic ensembles and taught conducting, developing the foundations of his nationally respected teaching philosophy.

Under his leadership, the Iowa State University band program has flourished and now engages more than 700 students. The Wind Ensemble has become a flagship ensemble for the state, performing at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference, CBDNA/NBA regional conventions, and in world-class venues such as Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Minneapolis Orchestra Hall, Omaha’s Holland Center, and on multiple European tours. 

As a guest conductor, Golemo has led honor bands across the nation, including seven all-state ensembles and international groups such as the Asian International Schools Honor Band in Tokyo and the National Sun-Yat Sen University Wind Ensemble in Taiwan. His compositions and arrangements, published by leading music publishers, have been performed in spaces from Carnegie Hall to concert halls across Europe and Russia.

Golemo’s leadership includes serving as president of the Iowa Bandmasters Association, president of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, president of the Big XII Band Directors Association, and chair of the John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Trophy Selection Committee. He has been honored with the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal, Iowa State University’s W. Robert Parks Commendation, and membership in the American Bandmasters Association, among many others.

Neomia Hagans Flores, Kentucky
NFHS Speech, Debate and Theatre Association
(speech and debate)

Neomia Hagans Flores has devoted her life and career to expanding access, excellence and opportunity in speech and debate. A celebrated coach, respected state and national leader, and champion for under-represented students, she has become one of Kentucky’s most influential voices in forensic education.

Flores’ journey began at age 12, competing at Carr Creek Elementary, where she earned four state finalist placements and a state championship in Declamation. She continued as a three-time state finalist at Knott County Central High School, laying the foundation for a career marked by extraordinary competitive and educational success.

Flores began coaching at Knott County Central High School in 2006 and immediately elevated the program with two regional championships, two “top 10” state finishes, and she coached a state champion.

Since 2009, Flores has helped lead the Lexington Paul Laurence Dunbar High School program to become one of Kentucky’s most consistent and accomplished teams. Her coaching résumé includes 15 state speech champions, 17 state debate champions, a debate state championship, nine Debate Sweepstakes runner-up titles, and numerous additional top finishes.

Beyond the competitive stage, Flores has served on the boards for Kentucky High School Speech League (KHSSL), Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association, National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), and Catholic Forensic League, and has been integral to state and national tournament hosting, professional development initiatives, and the structural evolution of Kentucky’s speech and debate governance.

Additionally, she authored KHSSL’s current score-ranking system and the criteria for its Hall of Fame. Her dedication has been recognized through honors including NSDA Kentucky Coach of the Year, KHSSL Debate Coach of the Year, induction into the KHSSL Hall of Fame, and the NSDA Distinguished Service Award.

Flores earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in social work from the University of Kentucky, where she is currently completing her Ph.D. in higher education. At Paul Laurence Dunbar, Flores has hosted seasonal invitational tournaments, including fundraising events for Eastern Kentucky flood relief and Lexington’s homeless population. Her program actively supports students of all backgrounds, ensuring that speech and debate remains a place where every voice is valued and empowered.

Tim Schlegel, Illinois
NFHS Speech, Debate and Theatre Association
(Theatre) 

For more than three decades, Tim Schlegel has been a visionary theatre educator whose creativity, innovation and community-centered leadership have transformed Sterling High School into one of Illinois’ most dynamic and respected theatre programs. His career reflects a deep commitment not only to theatrical excellence but also to expanding arts access for entire communities. From the start of his journey as a young performer inspired by Broadway’s Annie, Schlegel has understood the power of theatre to shape lives and bring people together.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in vocal performance with a minor in technical theatre from Augustana College, Schlegel began his professional career in Juneau, Alaska, where he served six years as a director and community arts collaborator. When he arrived at Sterling in 1998, he undertook the ambitious task of building a full theatre program from the ground up. In the years since, he has directed more than 100 productions, led thriving summer theatre initiatives, and created opportunities for students across multiple communities to engage deeply with the performing arts.

Schlegel’s work is rooted in strategic partnership and a commitment to strengthening arts infrastructure. During periods of financial hardship, he helped establish Woodlawn Arts Academy, a collaborative nonprofit that now records more than 3,000 annual student registrations and plays a central role in providing arts opportunities for young people. He later spearheaded the creation of the Sauk Valley Theatre Alliance, a groundbreaking partnership between the local college, Woodlawn Arts Academy, and the Sterling Schools Foundation. This initiative produced two full-time, shared technical theatre positions – an innovative solution that expanded instructional capacity and enriched student learning. 

Schlegel’s leadership also helped secure a community woodshop for the Sterling Schools Foundation, giving students hands-on skill-building experiences in stagecraft and fine woodworking. Each of these accomplishments reflects Tim’s unwavering belief that the arts should be accessible, sustainable, and deeply rooted in community support.

As a director and educator, Schlegel is known for professional-quality productions, creative risk-taking, and a nurturing approach that helps students grow as performers, technicians and individuals. Under his guidance, Sterling has become a powerhouse in Group Interpretation and Contest Play, earning eight sectional titles, 19 consecutive state qualifications in Group Interpretation, and eight state qualifications in Contest Play.

Schlegel’s service to the profession is extensive. He has contributed more than 12 years to the Illinois High School Association State Drama Committee, served on the Woodlawn Arts Academy Board for 15 years, including two as president, and played a key role in regional theatre leadership through the Sauk Valley Theatre Alliance and Illinois High School Theatre Association membership.