The Jim Massar Award, established in 1986, honors the legacy of one of the most respected basketball officials to come from the Flint, Michigan area.Jim Massar was widely recognized as one of the game's most knowledgeable basketball rules experts. His commitment to excellence set the standard for generations of officials. He firmly believed that every official had a responsibility to be both mentally and physically prepared before stepping onto the court. Punctuality, professionalism, and preparedness were non-negotiable expectations. Jim often emphasized that there was never an acceptable excuse for arriving late to a game or failing to carry backup equipment in the event of a uniform or equipment issue.One story perfectly illustrates Jim's philosophy. When asked what he would do if the fan belt on his car broke while traveling to a game, his response was immediate: "No problem! I would have left early enough to get the extra belt from my trunk and install it."That simple answer reflected the mindset that defined Jim Massar's career—anticipate challenges, prepare for the unexpected, and never allow preventable circumstances to interfere with your commitment to the game. The Jim Massar Award recognizes officials who exemplify these same qualities of professionalism, preparation, reliability, and dedication to officiating excellence."

Jim Massar dedicated 45 years to officiating, highlighted by assignments to the MHSAA State Finals in 1954 and 1955. Throughout his career, Jim embraced a simple philosophy: *"How can I help the person sitting next to me become a better official?"*Driven by his passion for officiating and mentoring, Jim traveled countless miles conducting officiating clinics across the state. He never accepted compensation for sharing his knowledge, believing that developing fellow officials was its own reward.In 1975, Jim chaired a committee alongside Mickey Hamilton to develop a Code of Conduct for coaches and officials serving the four athletic leagues in the Flint area. This initiative reflected his commitment to professionalism, sportsmanship, and the continued improvement of interscholastic athletics.Known for his honesty, integrity, and straightforward approach, Jim Massar has earned the respect of generations of officials. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to high school athletics and the officiating profession, the MHSAA honored him with its highest distinction for officials—the Vern Norris Award.

The **Jim Massar Service Award** recognizes an official who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the profession while making significant contributions to the association. Recipients exemplify a commitment to officiating through active involvement in training, recruiting, mentoring, leadership, and service to fellow officials.We proudly congratulate and recognize our past recipients for their outstanding commitment and contributions to the officiating community.