Hall of Fame
Leonard R. Maida is a highly regarded sports official in basketball and football with 45 years of service in Section III.
Maida, who is a life-long Utica resident, began officiating in 1961 when he stepped on the floor for his first basketball game. Since then he has served on numerous international committees including a rules committee, constitution committee and women’s development committee. For three terms, Len also served on the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) executive committee representing New York State Region 1 and is currently finishing a term as President of the organization.
On the national level, Len was on the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association committee and was awarded the organization’s Distinguished Service Award in 1986 for the highest standard of officiating. He is a lifetime member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
His performance in the athletic environment and his service to officials organizations in New York State has been tremendous. In 1994, Len was tabbed as the NYS Basketball Coaches Association top official and received the Merit Award for dedicated, outstanding and meritorious service to Interscholastic Football Officiating in the State of New York in 1987. He spent 25 years on the NYSPHSAA Officials Coordinating Federation and was President of the NYS Basketball Board #19. Len is credited with establishing a regional rule interpreter concept by appointing four regional interpreters for rule interpretations throughout New York State for basketball. For years, Len was a permanent fixture at Section tournaments and NYSPHSAA State tournaments. He not only officiated basketball at those levels but enjoyed success with football as well, officiating several NYSPHSAA State tournaments. For over 42 years, the Mohawk Valley Chapter of Certified Football Officials enjoyed his contributions as a member.
Following his retirement from officiating, Len was inducted into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He is a graduate of Proctor High School and Utica Technical Institute (now Mohawk Valley CC).