ATLANTA, Ga. (April 6, 2026) - The Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) joins NCAA Division II and Division III conferences nationwide in recognizing Officials Appreciation Week, held April 5–11, as part of a national effort to celebrate the vital role of collegiate officials.

Now in its fourth year, the initiative—led by the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA)—honors officials across all sports throughout the academic year, with designated recognition periods in the fall, winter, and spring. This week serves as the final celebration of the 2025–26 cycle, following previous observances in October and January.

Officials are central to the collegiate athletics experience, ensuring that competition is conducted with fairness, consistency, and respect for the game. Their work extends far beyond game day, requiring extensive preparation, rule mastery, and a commitment to student-athlete welfare. While their contributions often go unseen, they remain essential to maintaining the integrity and structure of intercollegiate competition.

Officials Appreciation Week is part of the DIIICA Strategic Plan for Collegiate Officiating, developed in response to a comprehensive review of the officiating landscape. In partnership with the NCAA and the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), the initiative also seeks to address the growing nationwide need for officials at all levels of sport.

As part of this effort, prospective officials are encouraged to explore opportunities through the NCAA’s Say Yes to Officiating platform. Additionally, NASO and DIIICA recently launched Stay In the Game, a program designed to connect Division III student-athletes with officiating pathways following their playing careers. Through NASO’s GameSavers network, participants are paired with experienced mentors and provided the resources needed to begin—and sustain—their officiating journey.


ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Asbury University, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Maryville College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
 
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