KAREN GOMEZ
Westfield and Westfield Voc-Tech AD
WESTFIELD – Westfield and Westfield Vocational-Technical high schools athletic director Karen Gomez has been named the region’s Athletic Director of the Year.
The Bombers (and Tigers) AD received the award from the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletics Directors Association. She was nominated by her peers of athletic directors from the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference’s District F, otherwise known as the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference, made up of 48 schools from the region.
“It is very exciting to be honored and selected by your peers,” Gomez said earlier this week.
Gomez was recognized for her involvement within the school and conference, maintaining a high level of excellence and promoting leadership among her student-athletes and their teams; for having been a chair school for wrestling (2006-13), a chair school for hockey (2013-present), and a member of the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference’s Executive Board for District F; upgrading equipment, facilities, fitness room equipment, and field space; and nearly endless list of other accolades.
She also received the MSSADA’s Presidential Award of Merit in 2012, and is a facilitator at the New England Student Leadership Conference.
Gomez and her team of coaches at Westfield High School continue to make a difference in the lives of their student-athletes.
The Bombers’ girls’ volleyball (winter) and football (fall) teams received sportsmanship awards.
“We hope to move forward spreading our missing of sportsmanship,” Gomez said.
As the two school’s AD, she has also continued to create equal footing for female and male students at Westfield High School and Westfield Voc-Tech, and worked with St. Mary to ensure all student-athletes in the city are able to enjoy the Whip City’s sporting venues.
Gomez was officially presented the award Wednesday at the Hyannis Resort and Conference Center.
“I appreciate all the support from the community, coaches, and student-athletes,” Gomez said. “I also thank my colleagues who nominated me for this award.”
