Falcons Set to Present Golden Stripes Award

Ceremony Part of “Referee Appreciation Night”

Springfield, MA – The Springfield Falcons, proud members of the American Hockey League, announced today they will host their 3rd Annual “Referee Appreciation Night” on Saturday, March 22nd when the Falcons host the Hartford Wolf Pack at the MassMutual Center. On this special evening, the third recipient of the “Golden Stripes Award” will be honored prior to the game. The “Golden Stripes Award” will be presented this year to Mr. William Sapelli.

Sapelli, who is a native of Agawam, MA, has more than 25 years of referee experience starting with his membership to the National Ice Hockey Officials Association in 1979, followed by serving as President of NIHOA from 1981-1987. Sapelli also served as Commissioner of Officials for the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference from 1988-2004 and he remains Referee in Chief for NIHOA, a title he has held since 1987.

“It’s with tremendous honor that we present this special award to a gentleman so well deserving,” said Falcons Vice President of Business Operations Bob Oliver. “His devotion to the duties of officiating, the sport of hockey and our community is something that we all strongly admire.”

Sapelli has also served as an on-ice official for ECAC Division I, II, and III for both men and women since 1985, as well as holding the position of Coordinator of Officials for the ECAC since 2000. He has also served as an official for the National College Athletic Conference Women’s Division III and is currently a Tournament Site Director. Sapelli’s involvement with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association includes being the Assistant Tournament Director for Western Mass. from 1991-2002, and Tournament Director since 2002. He has also served as Chairman of the Amo “Betts” Bessone Awards Banquet Committee since 1981, which honors high school hockey players from Western Mass.

A life long resident of Agawam, Sapelli was a teacher in Agawam Public Schools from 1978-1985 before serving as Assistant Principal at Agawam Middle School from 1985-1990. From 1990-2002, he was the Principal at Robinson Park School before holding the position of Assistant Superintendent of Agawam Public Schools from 2002 to the present time.

The “Golden Stripes Award” will be awarded annually to an On-Ice Official whose work within Western Massachusetts has selflessly demonstrated the essential characteristics of dedication, fairplay, positive attitude and communication skills. This individual has also shown an overwhelming desire to “give back” to the officiating community by volunteering his time off the ice as well, all the while leaving a positive lasting impression on his peers.