Malden Public Schools’ Charlie Conefrey named MIAA’s ‘Athletic Director of the Year’ for 2022-23

Selected as top AD in District 5 for the second straight year, which is believed to be a first

Special to the Advocate from MHS

  The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) recently announced that Malden Public Schools Director of Wellness, Physical Education and Athletics Charlie Conefrey has been selected as the 2022-23 District 5 “Athletic Director of the Year.” This award is given to athletic directors who have been nominated by their respective district athletic directors’ associations. The award – presented by the MIAA’s Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association (MSSADA) – recognizes athletic administrators from across the state who have excelled in their position as an Athletic Director in the past year in their own school districts and beyond. Malden’s Conefrey will be officially recognized as “Athletic Director of the Year” at the MIAA annual banquet for what is believed to be a first for the MIAA – Conefrey has been honored with this major award for the second consecutive year. He also was nominated and selected by MSSADA as District 5 “Athletic Director of the Year” in 2021 as the 2021-22 honoree.

  “I was humbled and honored to be recognized statewide by the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association,” said Conefrey.

  On the statewide level, for the past several years Conefrey has served as Director of District 5 within the MIAA, as well as a member of MSSADA. He also serves as a member of the MIAA’s Board of Directors. As Director for District 5, he oversees the Greater Boston League (GBL), Cape Ann League, Commonwealth Conference and Northeastern Conference (NEC).

  In addition to his Malden Public Schools duties, Conefrey also serves as Commissioner of the Greater Boston League (GBL). He and Malden High School Principal Chris Mastrangelo were instrumental in the reconstitution of the GBL over the past several years, transforming it from a four-team league of Everett, Malden, Medford and Somerville to a now vibrant, eight-team league with the additions of Revere, then Chelsea, Lynn Classical and Lynn English. The GBL is now recognized as the premier urban high school league in Massachusetts league.

  “Charlie Conefrey always puts the best interests and well-being of his student-athletes and coaches first and our district is fortunate to have him lead our athletic program,” said Malden High School Principal Chris Mastrangelo. “The MIAA chose the right person for this major honor.”

  At the October 3 Malden School Committee meeting, Superintendent. Dr. Ligia Noriega-Murphy acknowledged Conefrey’s impressive achievement. “It is a well-deserved honor for Mr. Conefrey, and we are very proud of his accomplishments which have earned him this statewide award,” Dr. Noriega-Murphy said.

  Since taking the reins of the Malden Public Schools wellness, physical education and athletics programs eight years ago, Conefrey has revamped and enhanced the district’s approach in many areas. Mental health as well as socio-emotional health has become a focus of the Malden Public Schools under his leadership. Conefrey has also been instrumental in initiating the district’s first Unified Sports Program for intellectually and physically challenged student-athletes, spurring its growth as a program within the GBL. He was recently honored by the Malden Disability Commission for his efforts.

  Under his watch, the Malden Public Schools, with the assistance of the Malden Recreation Department, also launched an extensive Middle School Athletics program within the GBL, featuring intraleague competition complete with playoffs and championships in girls and boys basketball, girls and boys cross-country, girls and boys track & field and baseball for boys and softball for girls.

  In addition, Malden Public Schools Athletics has expanded its strong partnership with the Malden Recreation Department, where the two join in cosponsoring special, varied, sports-specific instructional clinics that serve hundreds of young athletes and their families on a year-round basis, as well as leagues for all ages in basketball and other sports.