Eight Individuals Named Award Recipients by NFHS Officials Association

Eight individuals who have been involved in high school sports officiating for numerous years have been selected as the 2026 recipients of national and section awards by the NFHS Officials Association. 

Two individuals are receiving the National Contributor Award, and another is receiving the National Active Official Award, while four others are receiving Section Active Officials of the Year awards. 

Dana Pappas, NFHS director of officiating services, and Land Clark of New Mexico, a current referee in the National Football League, are recipients of the National Contributor Award, and Bradley Harris, a state championship football official from Alabama, is the 2025 recipient of the National Active Official Award. 

Sectional awards are being presented to Terrence Mobley, Mississippi, Section 3; Dennis Espenlaub, Indiana, Section 4; Tim Casper, South Dakota, Section 5; John Vance Lee Sr., New Mexico, Section 6; and James Alex, Oregon, Section 8. 

Following are biographical sketches of the eight NFHS Officials Association award recipients for 2025: 

NATIONAL CONTRIBUTOR

Land Clark, New Mexico

For more than three decades, Land Clark has exemplified the very best qualities of sportsmanship, integrity and commitment to excellence in interscholastic athletics. Beginning his officiating career in 1988, Clark has been a steadfast leader, mentor and ambassador for New Mexico officials and student-athletes alike. His professionalism and unwavering ethical standards have elevated the culture of high school athletics across the state and beyond.

Clark’s long list of achievements reflects a career built on consistency, fairness and a deep respect for the games he serves. He was honored as the New Mexico Official of the Year (1998), received the New Mexico Officials Association Distinguished Service Award (2015), and was inducted into the New Mexico Officials Association Hall of Fame (2021). In recognition of his lifelong impact both locally and nationally, South Sevier High School in Monroe, Utah, inducted him into its Hall of Fame in January 2024.

On the field, Clark’s reputation for integrity and calm authority earned him opportunities at the highest levels of the sport. As a Pac-12 Conference referee and deep wing official, he worked the 2013 BCS National Championship Game and the 2015 Sugar Bowl, the latter serving as a semifinal in the inaugural College Football Playoff. His excellence was further recognized when he joined the NFL in 2018 as a field judge and was promoted to referee in 2020. He has since been assigned to multiple postseason contests, including NFL Wild Card playoff games.

Despite these national achievements, Clark has never forgotten his roots in New Mexico high school athletics. His contributions include officiating numerous state championship games in both football (1994–2000) and basketball (1997–2006), impacting countless student-athletes with his steady leadership and fair play. Beyond the field, Clark continues to serve as a state clinician for the New Mexico Officials Association, dedicating his time each year to developing and mentoring the next generation of officials—ensuring that New Mexico continues to uphold the highest officiating standards.

In his professional life, Clark serves as the Chief Building Official for the City of Albuquerque, further reflecting his commitment to ethical conduct, accountability and public service.

NATIONAL CONTRIBUTOR

Dana Pappas, NFHS, Indiana

Pappas joined the NFHS staff in August of 2021 as director of officiating services. She worked directly with the New Mexico Officials Association (NMOA) for the entirety of her 24-year career with the NMAA and was named commissioner of officials in 2004. In 2012, she assumed the additional role of NMAA deputy director.

As commissioner of officials for the NMAA, Pappas was responsible for the training and education programs for more than 1,700 interscholastic sports officials in 10 sports. She also oversaw the assignment of officials for all postseason contests in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling. In addition, Pappas coordinated the NMOA state clinic each summer, which hosts clinicians from across the country and more than 600 officials from across the state.

In addition to her administration of officials, Pappas was the event director for state contests in band and choir, and was the staff liaison for English Expo, Music, Scholastic Publications and Student Council.

Pappas’ involvement in national officiating organizations and relationships with officials and administrators at all levels has been extensive. She is a member of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) Board of Directors and is chair of the NASO Recruitment and Retention Committee. She is in her second term as chair of the NFHS Officials Advisory Committee and served four years on the NFHS Officials’ Quarterly Publications Committee. 

In addition to speaking at several NFHS and NASO national meetings, Pappas was the keynote speaker at the 2016 Alabama Officials Association State Conference, and, in 2014, the NMOA, under Pappas’ guidance, hosted the NASO Summit. In 2019, Pappas received the NFHS Citation for Officiating.

Pappas is past chairperson of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) and is the current board secretary. She also serves on the board of directors for Battlefields to Ballfields (B2B), the board of directors for Sports Officials Care (SOC), and the Little League Advisory Committee. She is the Program Committee chair for B2B and serves as board secretary for SOC. 

Last week, Pappas was selected for induction into the NMAA Hall of Fame. She received the NFHS Citation for Contributions to Officiating in 2019 and was inducted into the New Mexico Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2022. She co-hosts The From A to Zebra Podcast, with Division I Women’s Basketball Referee, Nate Acosta.

Pappas received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of New Mexico, and she earned her Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) certification from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) in 2010. 

NATIONAL ACTIVE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

Bradley Paul Harris, Alabama

Brad Harris’ officiating career in Alabama began in 1998 when he was inspired by a family member. The encouragement he received at the outset played a crucial role in shaping his approach to the importance of mentorship.

Harris assumed leadership roles within the Southeast Alabama Football Officials Association. As treasurer for more than 20 years, he has helped manage the organization's financial responsibilities while advocating for the training and development of officials. He also serves as a training officer for rookie officials and is committed to sharing the lessons he has learned throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of rules knowledge, game management and effective communication.

Harris also has been a district camp instructor and a state camp instructor. These opportunities have allowed him to mentor and coach officials from various backgrounds, further enhancing the quality of officiating in his region. His dedication to teaching and guiding new officials exemplifies his passion for giving back to the sport that has given him so much.

Among his achievements, Harris officiated state championship games in 2008 and 2022, marking him as a top official in the Alabama High School Athletic Association. These high-stakes games reflect not only his skill but also the respect and trust he has earned from coaches, players and fellow officials. In 2022, he was honored as the District Official of the Year.

SECTION 3 ACTIVE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

Terrence Mobley, Mississippi

Mobley began officiating high school baseball and basketball in 1987 as part of the Gulf Coast Baseball Umpires Association and Gulf Coast Basketball Officials Association. As an umpire in baseball, he has worked the postseason 38 years.

Mobley has officiated basketball at the collegiate level and baseball at the high school, college and professional levels throughout his career. While working at higher levels, Mobley has always maintained affiliation with the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA). At the college level, he has been selected seven times as an NCAA Championship official.

Mobley co-founded the Gulf Coast Officiating Development Umpire Clinics and hosted umpire training for local high school umpires. He has been selected Official of the Year various times throughout his career. Most recently, he was honored by the NFHS Officials Association as Baseball Official of the Year for the 2022-23 season for the state of Mississippi.

At the high school level, Mobley has been selected to officiate MHSAA championships in both baseball and basketball a total of 22 years combined. He also officiated the first-ever MHSAA Class 7A Baseball and Basketball Championships.

SECTION 4 ACTIVE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Dennis Espenlaub, Indiana

Dennis Espenlaub has officiated Hoosier basketball games for 48 years, a journey filled with dedication, enthusiasm, growth and passion for the sport.

Espenlaub began officiating basketball during the 1977–78 season, and three years later moved up to varsity-level contests as a 20-year-old. After nine years of consistent work at the varsity level, he applied for the state tournament in both boys and girls basketball and has received postseason assignments ever since.

Since the 1987–88 school year, Espenlaub has officiated 39 boys basketball sectionals, 22 regionals, six semistates and one state final, while also officiating 24 sectionals, 16 regionals, seven semistates and one state final for girls hoops. Espenlaub is also an active baseball official, continuing to serve in that capacity.

Espenlaub was described by his nominator as someone who “embodies the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and moral character,” and whose lifelong dedication to officiating has “left an incredible mark on interscholastic athletics and beyond.”

SECTION 5 ACTIVE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Tim Casper, South Dakota

If you’ve competed in a high school cross country or track meet in South Dakota over the last few decades, chances are Tim Casper has helped put on at least one of your meets.

Casper has officiated track and field for 35 years and cross country for 20 years in the Mount Rushmore State. He previously served as head field judge at the state track and field meet for six years and as head meet referee for 10 years. He also served as head starter for state cross country for five years.

Described as a “rules expert” by his nominator, Casper conducts the rules meetings held at the state track and field meet. Casper created the South Dakota Track and Cross Country Officials Association and serves as the organization’s executive director. He also started his state’s hall of fame for track and cross country officials.

Casper facilitates track and field and cross country clinics for officials and coaches across South Dakota each year. He also creates numerous instructional documents that the South Dakota High School Activities Association shares online for member schools to use when hosting track meets and sends out rules newsletters titled “Casper’s Clarifications” to officials.

SECTION 6 ACTIVE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
John Vance Lee Sr, New Mexico

John Vance Lee Sr. has been a hall-of-famer in New Mexico for decades, but he hasn’t slowed in the least.

Lee has been a registered track official for more than 40 years, serving as an official at all state track meets — small school and big school — for more than 35 years, including approximately 30 years as head field referee.

He has been a New Mexico Activities Association Hall of Fame member since 2004, served with the New Mexico Officials Association for 35 years, was named New Mexico Activities Association Boys Track Official of the Year in 2008, and received the Administrator of the Year Award from the New Mexico State Student Council in 1999.

SECTION 8 ACTIVE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
James Alex, Oregon

Jim Alex started officiating in Corvallis, Oregon, in 1970 while a student at Oregon State University and has since worked more than 1,400 football games and 2,900 basketball games.

Alex moved to Portland in 1974 and has been with the Portland Football Officials Association and Portland Basketball Officials Association ever since. He has worked multiple state tournaments in both football and basketball and received the first Vern Marshall Sr. “For the Love of the Game” Award from the PFOA in 2005. This award recognizes officials who have served the PFOA for an extended time as good citizens, who avoid the limelight, and who are dedicated to their communities. He also officiates Special Olympics basketball games in his community.

Alex’s nominator described him as a tremendous asset who is a humble, servant leader and historian of local athletics.

“(Alex) truly cares about the coaches and players and makes sure that he builds positive relationships with both throughout the contest,” his nominator said. “ … He puts smiles on everyone’s faces and makes every game the most important game of the year.”