This award is presented an athletic administrator as a means of recognizing the outstanding achievements of interscholastic athletic administrators in the State of Florida, as well as honoring the distinguished achievements of those who have attained excellence and made a positive and dynamic impact upon the FIAAA, student-athletes, high school communities, coaches and colleagues.
The guidelines for this award can be found here.
The FIAAA is now accepting nominations for the 10th Hall of Fame Class. The nomination form can now be found on the FinalForms Awards page. To access this page, log into your FinalForms account at https://fiaaa.finalforms-amp.com/ (select the Members login button), when your account opens, choose the Awards option in the upper right corner next to your name. Scroll down to “FIAAA Hall of Fame” and select “Create Nomination”. If you do not have a FinalForms account or are uncertain if you have an account, contact Mike Colby at mlcolby50@outlook.com.
The inductees in the FIAAA Hall of Fame at the 49th Annual State Conference will be announced in late January 2027.
2026 FIAAA HALL OF FAME
MR. CHARLIE McBRIDE
Known as the “FIAAA Chef” or the “Bar-B-Que King”, Charlie McBride distinguished himself as leader and mentor during his twenty-one consecutive years on the FIAAA Board of Directors.
A graduate of Robinson High School in Tampa and earning a bachelor’s and a master’s Degree from the University of Tampa, Charlie has accomplished himself in football and wrestling, both as an athlete and a coach, before turning his attention to athletic administration at Land O’ Lakes High School for a combined seventeen years.
As an athletic administrator at the state level, Charlie serve as the District 9 Director in the Hernando/Pasco County area from 1991 through 1993, as Chaplain of the FIAAA from 1993 through 2007 and finally as an At-Large Director for Special Events from 2007 through 2012. Throughout this time, he served on numerous FIAAA Committees. Probably the biggest impact he made on the FIAAA were the Conference Bar-B-Que’s that he coordinated for nearly twenty years, definitely a highlight of the conference. Past President Bill Massey summed it up best; “Charlie’s infectious smile and spirit made us happy to be together. His BBQ socials established at State Conference brought everyone together as one family”. Charlie received the FIAAA Meritorious Service Award in 2000 and was recognized with FIAAA Lifetime Membership in 2007. He has also been inducted into the Land O’ Lakes Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Land O’ Lakes Staff Hall of Fame in 2024.
Charlie was also an active member of the FACA and the NIAAA. He is also a Deacon the First Baptist Church of Land O’ Lakes.
“Charlie was a steady, supportive presence—someone who listens, collaborates, and inspires excellence” state Past President Russell Wambles.
MR. NICK WRIGHT
Always the “Southern Gentleman” who was always willing to work to make our conferences a success, Nick Wright proved himself to be a vital leader of the FIAAA during his twenty-eight consecutive years on the Board of directors.
A graduate of Benton High School and Henderson State Teachers College in Arkansas, as well as Stetson University, Nick was an accomplished high school Basketball and Baseball player and accomplished fourteen-year Basketball coach at Melbourne High School before turning his sites to athletic administration, where he served as Athletic Director for sixteen years.
As an athletic administrator at the state level, Nick was first asked to serve as a District Director from 1985 through 1987 for District 1 in the panhandle that was without a director, while he was at Melbourne High School. This position helped to facilitate those athletic directors in that area. He then went on to as the District 7 along the Space Coast from 1987 through 1993 and again from 1996-1997. Nick embarked on the FIAAA leadership track, serving as President-Elect in 1993-94, President in 1994-95 and Immediate Past President in 1995-96. He finally served as an At-Large Director for Hospitality from 1997 through 2001 and Retired AD’s Committee from 2001 through 2013. At various times, he served on and chaired many FIAAA committees, most notably, the Constitutional Revisions and Higher Education committees, as well as Chair of the Welfare Committee in 1987-88. “Nick was the glue that kept the retired athletic directors together, always making sure that the FIAAA registration gift booth was manned and coordinated the 50/50 drawings”, stated Historian Mike Colby. Nick was recognized with FIAAA Lifetime Membership in 2005.
Nick was also an active member of the FACA for nineteen years and a member if the NIAAA for fifteen years. “Always a gentleman with homespun humor. Dedicated and always willing to share teachable moments and experiences with fellow athletic administrators”, was stated of Nick Wright by FIAAA Past President, Michael Stutzke.