1983-2023
I was playing lunch-time intermeral basketball at San Francisco State University in 1983 when I became aggravated with the student referees that were assigned to these games. The SFSU gymnastics coach, Coach Jerry Wright, was responsible for these refs. I went to complain to him regarding some calls and he simply asked me...,
"What are you doing tomorrow at lunchtime?"
Well.....I came back the following day and Coach Wright handed my a whistle and told me I had two games to referee. I do not remember much of the games specifically, but when I went to return the whistle to Coach and tell him my thoughts, I noticed he was not paying attention to what I was saying. But what he was doing was pulling out his wallet and handing me a $20 dollar bill? "What's this for?" I ask
Did you just referee two games?
"YES," I replied.
he says, "Then you get $20!"
After a brief pause, my only response was,
"What time do you want me tomorrow?"
Behind the plate - Pioneer League - A Ball - Billings, MT
(Tyler Houston is the catcher.)
Photo from Sports Illustrated, July 24, 1989
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2021 Class AA Texas High School State Championships
Jesuit HS beats Highland Park HS
Photo from Michael Wyke, Dallas News.com
Coming to Texas in 2013, I had to take in the
"Friday Night Lights",
and became a TASO Football Official.
My first HS Varsity game as a HEAD Referee (the White Hat)
Umpiring at 1st Base at Candlestick Park, San Francisco
This photo was used on the contents page of "REFEREE" Magazine
May 1994
Lake Travis HS vs Westlake HS, a classic Austin HS rivalry.
The photo made the Sports section of the Austin-Statesman
April 2017
Between innings, umpiring the
Little League Senior Western Regionals, Semi-Final
Ontario, CA -- 2011
Notre Dame played Johns Hopkins - NCAA Div I,
San Francisco in 2007. This was the first game of the year,
and the first college game officials wore black shorts.
Unlike any other sport, you walk onto the football field with your same crew for every game; they become your brothers every FRIDAY NIGHT!
These are my brothers! Doug, Greg, Boston, Joel - 2018
Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo vs. University of California
MCLA - Div I
April 2013
Standing under a rare placard dedicated to a referee,
Mel Dvorson. At Boxer (Balboa) Stadium, San Francisco.
Mel was not only a life-long inspiration in officiating but an incredible friend too.