Thimas started as a field hockey official in 1965 in her sophomore year at Bridgewater State College and continues to officiate the sport today. She has officiated Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournaments, sectionals, semifinals and state finals in field hockey and, amazingly, has officiated in EVERY postseason field hockey tournament since the MIAA started championships in the 1980s.

Additionally, she added girls lacrosse to her officiating duties in 1982 and, like field hockey, has officiated in every MIAA girls lacrosse tournament since the inception of the sport. She has never missed a postseason tournament in either sport for the entirety of her 60-year officiating career.

As impressive as her on-field officiating accomplishments has been her passion for mentoring and using officiating as a vehicle for teaching, learning and growth. It is estimated that Thimas has mentored at least 15-20 officials a year for the entirety of her career – a total that exceeds 1,000 individuals she has guided.

Thimas has been a strong leader and advocate for girls sports throughout her career. She has been a part of the MIAA Girls and Women in Sport Committee for 30 years, and she has been instrumental in organizing and supporting the annual Massachusetts Girls and Women in Sport Day celebration.

Thimas also has been a part of the MIAA Field Hockey Committee for decades. She has chaired multiple subcommittee efforts to enhance the sport of field hockey across the state, and she has presented and facilitated workshops for both coaches and officials to grow and improve the knowledge base of these stakeholders.

Outside her officiating duties, Thimas has coached basketball, field hockey, lacrosse and tennis at both the high school and college levels. She also has served as director of athletics for women and associate director of athletics at her alma mater, Bridgewater State College, as well as associate director of athletics at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

Thimas also served for a period of time as director of athletics at Framingham North High School and Framingham South High School, and she also served a stint as senior assistant commissioner of the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

Among her numerous awards, Thimas has received Hall of Fame honors as an athlete, coach, administrator and advocate. She was named MIAA Official of the Year for girls lacrosse and received the Massachusetts Women in Athletics Distinguished Service Award. In 2024, she was honored with the MIAA Distinguished Service Award.

“As an educator, Mary Lou has an unswerving desire to use her exposure to the rules and understanding of the game to better all of those around her,” said Bob Baldwin, MIAA executive director. “She has been a leader since the inception of the sports and the organization of the officiating boards in the state that guide the instruction and scheduling of officials. She has shepherded two female sports from the beginning and worked with others to make it happen.”

“Mary Lou’s greatest contribution may be her unwavering character,” said Sherry Bryant, MIAA deputy director. “In my decades of experience, I have never met a person who has expressed anything but the utmost respect and appreciation for her. Her reputation as a humble, hard-working, kind and giving person of integrity is known statewide.”

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