Arizona Interscholastic Association chief operating officer Chuck Schmidt has been selected as one of 12 recipients of National Federation of State High School Associations Citations this summer in Philadelphia, Penn.

Schmidt, in his 10th year with the AIA staff, is being honored  for contributions to the NFHS and the state high school association. Schmidt will receive his citation July 1 at the 92nd NFHS Summer Meeting in Philadelphia.

:I"m very honored to receive this recogniton," Schmidt said. "I think a lot of it comes from being involved with the fundamentals of coaching we worked on at the national level, and really how much as an association we've pushed as a player in the (NFHS)."

Schmidt, who began his professional career as a teacher and coach in Minnesota and later in Arizona, has served as assistant executve director of the AIA (2002) and was promoted to his current postion as COO in 2006. Schmidt's accomplishments include development of external and internet platforms, fiscal restructuring of the AIA and marketing strategies and community relations for the association. On the national front he was part of the team that developed the NFHS Fuundamentals of Coaching course and a member of the NFHS Strategic Planning Committee that developed the 2008-2011 NFHS Strategic Plan.

Schmid has a passion for educational athletics and has spoken around the country about developing character through sport and that is evidenced in his involvement with the coaching and character aspects for high school athletes.