Founded in 1976, the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association (MSADA) provides a professional organization for the public, private and parochial athletic administrators in the secondary schools in Maryland. The MSADA hosted its annual state conference in Ocean City over the weekend of April 28–30. The marquee event of the weekend’s program is the Athletic Director of the Year awards ceremony, in which one director for each of the MSADA’s 11 districts is recognized for “making a significant impact on the lives of students” and for “using athletics to achieve progress in the social and cultural environment of the school and the community.” Gilman’s very own Russell Wrenn '96 was named the 2023 District 11 Athletic Director of the Year.
His selection follows awards earned by Tim Holley '77 in 2016 and 2003, and one by Sherm Bristow '67 in 1997.