Johnson Family Reunion: Tuesday will Bring Together Officiating Brothers, Coaching Cousins

By Mike Dunn
Special for MHSAA.com

December 12, 2025

GAYLORD – What a night it will be.

The Big North Conference game this Tuesday between visiting Traverse City Central and host Gaylord has a coaching connection that will be a draw in itself. Central is led by former Gaylord hoops standout Luke Johnson, while Gaylord is coached by Luke’s cousin Justin Johnson – another past Blue Devils hoops standout who graduated in 1995 with school records for single-game, single-season and career 3-pointers.

Luke graduated in 1997 as Gaylord’s all-time leading scorer with 1,571 points and went on to play four years at Central Michigan University. He coached the boys at Elk Rapids for 14 seasons and is now in his second year coaching in Traverse City, where he is also an assistant principal at Traverse City East Middle School. Justin, owner and operator of the local Bulldog Painting business, is in his first year as the Blue Devils’ head coach after serving previously as the JV coach.

Cousins Luke Johnson, left, and Justin Johnson are the varsity coaches for Traverse City Central and Gaylord, respectively. The cousins were Gaylord teammates on the storied 1994-95 team that captured the District title with a thrilling come-from-behind victory at the old Petoskey gym. They will be facing each other as head coaches on the hardwood for the first time – and Justin’s son Carter, a junior wing, is in his first year on the Gaylord varsity.

On top of that, the Johnson cousins will be coaching against each other in the gymnasium named after Luke’s grandfather Jim Mongeau. Ironically enough, the Jim Mongeau gymnasium was dedicated on December 16, 1994, the same day 31 years before.

If that was solely the storyline for Tuesday’s game, it would make for a memorable occasion.

But there is more to this story … much more.

Three brothers with whistles

As it turns out, the biggest storyline of this memorable night is the officiating crew.

Not only will Luke and Justin be facing off Tuesday with Justin’s son also competing on the floor, but the three men wearing the striped shirts with whistles around their necks will be Johnson brothers Tommy, Steve, and Dave. Tom is Luke’s dad, and Steve is Justin Johnson’s father.

Between them, there is more than 125 years of hardwood officiating experience: Tom is in his 50th year, Steve is in his 45th, and Dave in his 32nd season.

The brothers have worked together more times than they can count over the decades, though not as much in recent years. Tom has had his own crew of officials for a while. Steve and Dave have teamed with Charlie Lovelace to form their own crew.

Tuesday’s game in Gaylord will be the first time any of the brothers have worked a game coached by Luke or Justin.

And it very well could be the final time the three brothers officiate a game together. In fact, this is quite likely given the present circumstances.

Tom’s battle with cancer

Tom has inoperable pancreatic cancer and is undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments. Just the fact that he is still actively officiating this season is remarkable in one way, given his prognosis, and yet not remarkable at all for anyone who knows Tommy and the inner drive and mental toughness that is so much a part of his make-up – character traits he has exhibited since the glory days in the late 1960s when he was a star student-athlete competing for Gaylord in football, basketball, and baseball.

That inner drive and willingness to persevere continue to serve Tom well, especially during this challenging season of life.

The Johnson brothers, here during their younger days, have a combined 127 yards of officiating to their credit.As Steve said, “Tommy definitely has the Johnson gift of stubbornness.”

And Dave agreed: “Tommy is fighting this with everything he has. He’s gonna go down swinging, because that’s just who he is.”

Tom has been very open about his battle with cancer. He was diagnosed Nov. 13, 2023, and at one point his weight was down to 138 pounds.

Tom was at home in his favorite chair in February with wife Jenni tending to him – “My wife’s been a saint through all this and the best nurse I’ve ever had,” he noted – when he made a decision.

“I told my wife if I just sit here in this chair, I’m gonna die and I don’t want to just give in to this,” Tom said.

“I made up my mind right then that I’m gonna take the proactive approach to this. I’m gonna live till I die. People think I’m being funny when I say that, but I’m serious. I’m gonna live till I die. I’m not gonna sit out the rest of my life. It’s all in the hands of the good Lord, and He’s the One who’s gonna let me know when my time comes.”

Tom retired as a physical education teacher at Gaylord in 2007 but has continued to coach as well as officiate volleyball, basketball and baseball. Because of recent developments, Tom was initially going to give up coaching the Gaylord boys golf team last spring but opted to stay on, extending his coaching career that dates back 49 years at Gaylord and includes a long stint as the varsity boys hoops coach from 1987-97 and then 2003-07 in addition to being the freshmen football coach for a stint, the baseball coach, and, for the past 16 years, the boys golf coach.

“The golf kids were great to work with,” Tom recalled. “I had some limitations, and they accepted and adapted and it was actually a fun season.”

‘I want to be out there’

Fast forward to the present school year. It would have been easy for Tom to lay down his whistle, but he’s not ready for that. He officiated about 30 nights during the volleyball season, and that went pretty well. Now he plans to continue officiating basketball as long as he is physically able and knows he can still call a good game.

“I just want to be out there doing one of the things God has designed for me to do,” he said. “I still enjoy it. We set a goal at the start of the school year to get through the volleyball season first and make it to Thanksgiving, and we’ve met that goal. The next goal is Christmas. And we’ll set other goals after that. But in the meantime, I plan to stay as active as I can doing things I love doing.”

Tom plans to officiate the full basketball season, as God enables him. The one date he is especially looking forward to, though, is Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Tom Johnson is in his 50th season officiating, a run filled with many memories including refereeing his grandson’s game at Elk Rapids (lower left).“It’ll be a great night,” Tom said. “I’ve reffed numerous games at ‘The Mong’ since it opened in 1995, but this will be a very special night not just for me but for all the Johnson family.

“I only hope in the midst of it I can communicate in some way how much I have appreciated the Gaylord community over the years and how much I’ve loved being a part of this community along with my family, and especially being part of Gaylord schools for so many years.”

Tom has quite a unique history with Gaylord basketball as a player and a coach. Tom played in the final high school game in the old community center during his junior year and played in the first game at the old gym that now serves as the middle school gym. He also coached the final high school game at the old gym during the 1994-95 season and coached the first game played at the newly-dedicated Jim Mongeau Gymnasium in January of 1995 against St. Ignace.

He also coached the amazing District championship game against favored Petoskey in its old gym packed to the rafters that March of 1995, a game that many still talk about to this day. The Blue Devils, with Justin knocking down the long ones and Luke distributing and driving through the lane, narrowly edged the excellent Petoskey team that featured Trevor Huffman and John Flynn.

Brennan Fitzek hit what proved to be the game-winning shot in the waning seconds, and Gaylord made a final stop on defense to secure the hard-earned trophy.

"We had some epic battles with Petoskey in those days," Tom said. "Petoskey had some great teams with Huffman and Flynn and a great coach in Dennis Starkey, who is still a friend to this day. It was tremendous competition."

‘I was just mowing’

It was Dave Johnson, the youngest of the brothers, who first had the idea of officiating the Dec. 16 game together.

“I was just mowing my grass one day soon after Justin was hired as the varsity coach and thinking ahead about the night when Luke comes from T.C. Central to play Gaylord,” Dave recalled. “Here you have the two coaches who are cousins from Gaylord facing each other in the gym named after their grandfather and Justin’s son playing for Gaylord on top of that. Wouldn’t it be cool if we three brothers could officiate the game that night?”

Dave dismounted the mower then and there and made phone calls to Steve and Tommy to see what they thought about the possibility. Then they contacted Luke and Justin and, before very long, everything was set in motion.

“The stars all aligned,” Dave said with a chuckle. “Justin and Luke were both on board with it, and they got the approval of their ADs. Everything that needed to happen for this to come together happened. It’s gonna be a great night and a historic night.”

When the family got together for a meal in September to celebrate Tom’s birthday, all the details about the Dec. 16 game were discussed. By the time the meal was over, everything was ironed out and everyone was in agreement.

“There’s so much nostalgia and history wrapped up in this one night,” Dave noted. “You have Tommy, the son-in-law of Jim Mongeau, in his 50th year officiating. To me, this night is really a tribute to Tommy and Jen and their lives revolving around Gaylord athletics.”

It will be a milestone night in another way.

This collage, from top left, includes longtime coach Jim Mongeau speaking with a Gaylord player during the 1960s, Tom Johnson coaching a player during the 1990s, and Luke now coaching.“This will probably be the final time we three brothers have the chance to officiate a game together,” Dave said. “Steve is working through a knee injury right now, and my health is not what it used to be either. But if this is our final game as an officiating crew, we couldn’t have picked a better one.”

Steve’s knee has been giving him fits lately and, for the first time in 45 seasons, has caused him to miss some games because of an injury. He is hoping to recover well enough to return to the floor in January and resume a normal schedule.

There is only one game Steve will officiate in the whole month of December, and it’s the one game he wouldn’t miss for anything.

“I know it’ll be one of the best nights of my life,” Steve said. “How great it’ll be for Dave and I to get to work with Tommy again and to see all the people there. It’ll be a night for reflecting on so many memories and making some new ones.”

Looking forward

“I’m thrilled with how this has all come together,” Luke said. “This night will not only be a great tribute to my dad but to a family that’s been involved in Gaylord athletics for 50-plus years.

“If you include my grandfather, then you’re going back 70 years or more with Gaylord. I know my dad impacted a lot of lives as a teacher and a coach over the years, and my grandfather had the same kind of legacy before him.”

Luke is naturally excited for the game itself but more excited for the moment, especially given his dad’s health challenges.

“Obviously, the circumstances with my dad create a different perspective for the night,” he added. “My hope is we can just soak in the history and enjoy the moment and not let it rush by. We likely won’t have another night like this one.”

PHOTOS (Top) Brothers, from left, Steve, Dave and Tom Johnson – here at Gaylord High School – will referee the varsity boys basketball game Tuesday between Gaylord and Traverse City Central. (2) Cousins Luke Johnson, left, and Justin Johnson are the varsity coaches for Traverse City Central and Gaylord, respectively. (3) The Johnson brothers, here during their younger days, have a combined 127 yards of officiating to their credit. (4) Tom Johnson is in his 50th season officiating, a run filled with many memories including refereeing his grandson’s game at Elk Rapids (lower left). (5) This collage, from top left, includes longtime coach Jim Mongeau speaking with a Gaylord player during the 1960s, Tom Johnson coaching a player during the 1990s, and Luke now coaching. (Photos courtesy of, in part, RD Sports Photo and Photography by Joanie Moore, with others collected by the Weekly Choice and Charlevoix County News.)

Livonia's Karabees-Betts Named 35th Vern L. Norris Award Honoree

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 15, 2025

Debby Karabees-Betts has dedicated more than 50 years to serving high school and middle school students, often in several roles simultaneously to provide opportunities to learn and compete both academically and athletically.

To celebrate especially her 30-plus years as a Michigan High School Athletic Association-registered game official and her immense impact on that community, Karabees-Betts will be honored with the 35th Vern L. Norris Leadership in Officiating Award during the MHSAA’s Officials Awards & Alumni Banquet on April 26 in East Lansing.

The Norris Award is presented annually to a veteran official who has been active in a local officials association, has mentored other officials, and has been involved in officials’ education. It is named for Vern L. Norris, who served as executive director of the MHSAA from 1978-86 and was well-respected by officials on the state and national levels. Karabees-Betts will be honored at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Center along with high school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 years of service.

She began her career in education in 1973 and spent the next 40 years as a teacher and later guidance counselor. Her contributions to school sports also began in 1973 with her first of what would become several coaching tenures. She became an MHSAA-registered official first during the late 1970s, then returned to officiating in 1990-91 – first in swimming and track & field, later adding volleyball and cross country – and has officiated a combined five MHSAA Finals – two each in volleyball and boys swimming & diving and one in girls swimming & diving.

But that covers only one area of her influence on statewide officiating. Also a collegiate volleyball line judge in the Big Ten Conference over the last 16 years, Karabees-Betts co-wrote the “Best Practices for Line Judges” protocol adhered to at MHSAA Finals and has been an MHSAA officials trainer in the sport since 2010. She has conducted more than 100 officiating and line judging clinics over the last two decades, mentored several school-aged officials as part of the MHSAA Legacy Program and spoken to numerous high school classes on the benefits of becoming an official.

“The (essence of) officiating is that you bring sportsmanship, safety and respect and love for the games,” said Karabees-Betts, who first met Vern Norris while officiating an MHSAA Finals at Eastern Michigan University. “I have so many former players’ children that I’m officiating now. … You want that knowledge to make sure they have the most fair playing field that you could possibly give them.

“It’s kind of a legacy of love for the sport, the participation in the sport, the growth and knowledge of the sport and safety of the sport – because throughout 50 years, the safety factor has increased in almost every sport.”

Karabees-Betts, who lives in Livonia but did the majority of her teaching and counseling at Taylor public schools, first stepped into educational athletics as a professional in 1973 when, as a first-year teacher, she also took on the head coaching positions at Taylor Truman for girls swimming, volleyball and track & field during the early years of those programs.

She made the former Inkster Cherry Hill High School a force in boys swimming & diving, coaching that program to 10 straight Tri-River League titles and a Lower Peninsula Class B-C-D runner-up finish in 1977 before that school closed in 1985. She was named Coach of the Year in that league multiple times for that sport and also girls track & field.

She also earned multiple Western Wayne Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors during a decade-long run at Taylor Center from 1986-96, where she led the boys cross country, swimming & diving and track & field programs. Karabees-Betts would later coach the Dearborn Divine Child volleyball team to a Catholic High School League title and take the Riverview Gabriel Richard girls basketball team on a long Class C Tournament run. She also coached at Taylor Kennedy and Garden City high schools and middle school swimming and cross country in the Taylor district.  

Karabees-Betts moved on to coaching volleyball at Schoolcraft College, serving as an assistant coach for a decade through 2010 and helping that program reach the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament. She continued officiating MHSAA events during that time and became a collegiate volleyball official in 1996.

She has served as an officials observer at the MHSAA Volleyball Semifinals and Finals the last four seasons and also several more as the officials crew chief for that high-profile event. She served as board secretary and awards chairperson for the Michigan Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association from 1979-84 and has served as board secretary/treasurer for the Capital Area Association of Volleyball Officials since 2013.

“Debby Karabees-Betts has brought her expertise and dedication as an educator into the athletic classroom, especially as one of our state’s most respected and admired teaching officials and mentors in volleyball,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “Her work across several sports has had a far-reaching impact stretching decades and continuing to this day, and her approach not only to officiating, but to teaching and mentoring is admired across her several sports communities.”

Karabees-Betts graduated from Taylor Center High School in 1969. She earned her bachelor’s and education specialist degrees from Michigan State University in 1973, the former in physical education, health and recreation and the latter in exercise physiology and science. She later earned master’s degrees in educational guidance and counseling, and athletic administration, from Eastern Michigan University, and then her doctorate in education and guidance and counseling from EMU in 1990.

She has contributed to her community in several more ways, including as a member of the Taylor Jaycees organization and president of its women’s club where she participated in some of the many charity efforts she’s been part of locally. She served on the Taylor Schools and Community Council and volunteered as part of the district’s crisis team, organized a traveling theatre troupe that performed at local elementary schools and taught first-aid classes at the local community center. She also served as director for the Dearborn Heights summer recreation department’s track & field program.

Karabees-Betts has been honored several times for her service, including with 12 Golden Apple Awards from the Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency. She received the Michigan Exceptional Educator of the Year Award from EMU in 2003 and the Guidance Counselor of the Year Award from the Wayne County Intermediate School District in 2010.

She is married to husband Dennis, who also is an MHSAA-registered swimming & diving official and worked the Lower Peninsula Finals to conclude both the girls and boys seasons this school year. They have two daughters, Desiree McMahon and Lori Hall, and a son Greg Betts.

Previous recipients of the Norris Award

1992 – Ted Wilson, East Detroit
1993 – Fred Briggs, Burton
1994 – Joe Brodie, Flat Rock
1995 – Jim Massar, Flint
1996 – Jim Lamoreaux, St. Ignace
1997 – Ken Myllyla, Escanaba
1998 – Blake Hagman, Kalamazoo
1999 – Richard Kalahar, Jackson
2000 – Barb Beckett, Traverse City; Karl Newingham, Bay City
2001 – Herb Lipschultz, Kalamazoo
2002 – Robert Scholie, Hancock
2003 – Ron Nagy, Hazel Par
2004 – Carl Van Heck, Grand Rapids 
2005 – Bruce Moss, Alma
2006 – Jeanne Skinner, Grand Rapids
2007 – Terry Wakeley, Grayling
2008 – Will Lynch, Honor
2009 – James Danhoff, Richland
2010 – John Juday Sr., Petoskey
2011 – Robert Williams, Redford
2012 – Lyle Berry, Rockford
2013 – Tom Minter, Okemos
2014 – Hugh R. Jewell, West Bloomfield
2015 – Sam Davis, Lansing 
2016 – Linda Hoover, Marshall
2017 – Michael Gentry, Shelby Township
2018 – Jill Baker-Cooley, Big Rapids
2019 – David Buck, St. Joseph
2020 – Hugh Matson, Saginaw
2021 – Lewis Clingman, Grand Rapids
2022 – Pat Hayes, Birmingham
2023 – Chuck D. Walters, Jackson
2024 – Candace Cox, Quincy

High school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 years of service also will be honored at the Officials Awards & Alumni Banquet on April 26. Eight officials with 60 years of service will be honored, as will 15 with 55 years of service, 70 with 50 years of service, 72 officials with 45 years and 90 officials with 40 years of service. A 30-year award will be presented to 164 officials, and 287 officials with 20 years of experience will be honored.

Also being honored during the Awards & Alumni Banquet is Legacy Program official Avery Beach, a senior at Mason High School who also is dually enrolled at Ferris State University. Beach carries a 3.96 grade-point average and is a member of both the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society as she plans to pursue a career in education. An all-state bowler and four-year varsity softball starter for the Bulldogs, Beach has officiated middle school volleyball as part of the Legacy Program, and also youth softball.

20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 55 & 60-YEAR OFFICIALS

The officials on this list are receiving their 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60-year service awards.

20-YEAR OFFICIALS

Ada - Rick F. Hert
Allegan - Arthur K. Ziemelis
Allen Park - Kim A. Viculin
Alpena - John A. Anderson
Ann Arbor - Dennis J. Busse Jr.
Ann Arbor - Edward H. Rodenhouse
Ann Arbor - Shane J. Smith
Ann Arbor - Daniel H. Tarrant
Athens - Vergne C. Gregrich

Battle Creek - Cork Baker
Battle Creek - Harvey L. Glass
Battle Creek - April D. Hooker
Battle Creek - Nicholas C. Metheny
Battle Creek - Timothy J. Rizor
Battle Creek - Brenton T. Watkins
Battle Creek  - Augie Zapata
Bay City - Josh A. Bauer
Bay City - David M. Bublitz
Bay City - Jeff A. Doan
Bay City - David M. Pietryga
Bay City - Dale E. Sneller II
Bay City - Jeff J. Zalucha
Bellaire - John F. Hanson
Belleville - Greg R. Reynolds
Belleville - Harold Rochon
Bellevue - Sarah M. VandenHeuvel
Berkley - Mark W. Steffens
Berkley - Mark R. Williams
Bloomfield - Thomas B. Wolford
Boyne City - Cindi L. Place
Bridgman - Robert S. Clark
Brighton - Scott D. Kelley
Brighton - Shanda Willis
Brownstown - Kenneth A. Stephens
Buchanan - Mark L. Soltys
Burton - Jamie S. Galant
Burton - Rojelio D. Lara
Byron Center - David M. Meltzer
Byron Center - Helga Roelofs
Byron Center - Timothy K. Smeby 

Cadillac - William Anderson
Cadillac - Timothy L. Fekete
Caledonia - David M. Bommarito
Caledonia - Thomas J. Buist
Canton - Donald G. Dukes
Canton - Scott M. Shaw
Carney - Jeff C. Stage
Carsonville - Tom S. Nowotny
Charlotte - Jenny A. Granger
Chassell - James K. Tervo
Chesaning - John F. Ebenhoeh II
Chesterfield - Edmund J. Kordas
Clarkston - Thomas J. Giannaris
Clarkston - Ted S. Rozwadowski
Clinton Township - Christopher M. Catenaro
Clinton Township - David A. Clifton
Clinton Township - Bradley A. Jarson
Clinton Township - Robert T. Joyce
Clinton Township - Patricia J. Rigterink
Coldwater - Eric M. Anglin
Coldwater - William H. DeBeau
Coldwater - Chad A. Rakocy
Coleman - Jason F. Harper
Coloma - Jamie S. Riley
Commerce Township - Dennis A. Sartor
Concord - Kevin Herendeen
Corunna - Benjamin J. Hall
Corunna - Robert L. Hinojosa Jr. 

Davison - Robert W. Myers
Davison - Wally Rose
Davison - Dana E. Rouse
Dearborn - John P. Satko
Detroit - Harold B. Bettie III
Detroit - Shawn A. Crawford
Detroit - Quincy R. Jones
Detroit - Warren Pettaway
Detroit - Lawrence E. Roberts
DeWitt - Randy L. Puffenberger
Dimondale - Dana M. Kirk
Dimondale - Scott E. McKimmy 

Eastpointe - Brian A. Smith
Eau Claire - Ted R. Parker
Escanaba - Robert S. Johnson
Evart - Susan J. Guiney 

Farmington Hills - Timothy E. Hay
Farmington Hills - Gary C. Maike
Fennville - Paul A. Marfia
Flint - Sims Johnson III
Flushing - Kenneth R. Tucker
Flushing  - Roger L. Winfield Jr
Freeland - Sharon Sawyers 

Gaylord - Douglas L. Curtis
Gaylord - David M. Johnson
Gaylord - Richard D. Marshall
Gladstone - Eric J. VanDamme
Gladwin - David P. Volk
Goodrich - Gaye L. TenBrink
Gowen - Casey N. Lake
Grand Blanc - Jerry L. Balogh
Grand Blanc - William N. Hoffmann
Grand Haven - Donald G. Verwey
Grand Ledge - Tim W. Bedford
Grand Rapids - Daniel C. Anderson
Grand Rapids - Greg James
Grand Rapids - Ryan P. Levitt
Grand Rapids - Jeffrey P. Simmons
Grand Rapids - Bert J. Smith
Grand Rapids - Cory D. Smith
Grand Rapids - Scott L. Stabler
Grand Rapids - Paul M. Wiercinski
Grand Rapids  - Onesiphorus B. Burrel II
Grand Rapids  - Johnny E. Davidson Sr.
Grandville - Douglas C. Diekman
Grandville - Natasha L. Phose
Grass Lake - James  (Ed) E. Earley II
Greenville - Jeffrey Brown
Greenville  - Andrew J. Krey
Grosse Ile - Christopher C. Vigh
Grosse Pointe - Brian A. Effinger
Grosse Pointe Farms - Larry A. Klimek
Grosse Pointe Woods - Thomas P. McCabe 

Hamilton - Larry A. Meiste
Hamilton - Terry L. Perysian
Hancock - David C. Dow
Hancock - Jason J. Parker
Harper Woods - Mychael D. Foster
Hart - Brandon W. Bruce
Hartland - Roger T. Luck
Haslett - Deborah L. Traxinger
Highland - David E. Crow
Hillsdale - Lance E. Benzing
Hillsdale - Timothy J. Frosch
Holland - Douglas L. Bazan
Holland - Robert T. Carlson
Holly  - Dave M. Thatcher
Holt - Jim E. Moreno Sr.
Holt - Jessie D. Read
Holton - Robert J. Stitt
Hudsonville - Arlyn J. Bohl
Hudsonville - Nathan Topie
Hudsonville  - Roberto Ortega-Ramos 

Interlochen - Gregory W. Allar
Iron Mountain - John L. Benzie
Ithaca - Rex L. Beracy 

Jackson - James K. Haehnle
Jackson - Dale B. Lehman
Jackson - Corey C. McCave
Jenison - Chad J. Essebaggers
Jenison - Kip E. Haverdink
Jenison - James E. Krol
Jonesville - Eric P. Swihart 

Kalamazoo - Michael A. Bailey
Kalamazoo - Patrick T. Cronin
Kalamazoo - Raynard A. Dunigan Jr.
Kalamazoo - Larry H. Ollie
Kalamazoo - David B. Saunders
Kalamazoo  - Christopher A. Furlong
Kentwood - Glenn E. Ingram
Kentwood  - Timmy D. Dickens
Kimball - Michael T. Roosen 

Lake Orion - Brenton T. Bailo
Lakeview - Timothy A. Reed
Lansing - Jason R. Baley
Lansing - Steven L. Edgerly
Lansing - Melvin W. Eiland Sr.
Lansing - Robert W. Linman
Lansing - Roderick Turner
Livonia - John E. Eberhart
Livonia - Keith D. Riling 

Macomb - Richard J. Moceri
Macomb - Jennifer L. Zacharzewski
Manchester - William T. Coggins
Manistique - John H. Ziemba
Marinette (Wis.) - Fred A. Furton
Marquette - Mark A. Petrie
Marshall - James R. DeBrabander
Marshall - Jon K. Morris
Mattawan - April C. Davenport
Mattawan - Mickey F. Peter
Mendon - Donald K. Koole III
Mendon - Donald K. Koole Jr.
Middleville - Joseph A. Broussard
Midland - Zachary A. Eagly
Midland - Mark E. Howison
Midland - Ian K. Lundquist
Midland - Kevin M. Nehil
Midland - Andy Reyes
Midland - Laurie A. Smith
Milan - Edward J. Marx Jr
Monroe - Steven A. Sowatsky
Monroe - Dale A. Stringham|
Moran - Gregg P. Fettig
Mt. Clemens - Kenneth Wynn
Mt. Morris - Shannon M. Smith
Mt. Pleasant - Cindy Verwey
Mt. Pleasant - James J. Waters
Muskegon - Troy A. Gardner
Muskegon - Gordon J. Hansen 

Negaunee - Bobbi E. Ayotte
Negaunee - Mark A. Marana
Novi - Ned D. Harrington 

Oak Park - Daniel Silva
Ontonagon - Allen A. Graham
Ortonville - Laurel M. Kobe
Oxford - Robert M. Kelly 

Parchment - Thomas A. Jordan
Paw Paw - Barbara J. Alden
Paw Paw - George W. Kilts
Petoskey - Shane P. Brown
Petoskey - Paul D. Tunison
Pewamo - Michael A. Weber
Pickford - Rodney W. Priskorn
Plymouth - Greg W. Hames
Plymouth  - Leslie S. English
Pontiac - Darris L. Finney
Pontiac - Trevor K. Williamson
Port Huron - Stephen F. Dusellier
Portage - Larry L. Allgaier
Portage - James P. Eichstaedt
Portage - Harley J. Franks

Ray - Jill M. White
Redford - Michael J. Laird
Riverview - Jason C. Gribble
Rochester Hills - Robert P. Bowery
Rochester Hills - Richard P. Burns
Rochester Hills - Kimberly A. Tobin
Rockford - Alex O. Briggs
Rockford - David M. Carattini
Rockford - Michael H. Jacobs
Rockford - John G. Mowat
Rockford - Seth D. Powell
Romulus - John C. Graham Sr.
Royal Oak - Paul M. Hayner
Royal Oak - Michael R. Pomroy
Rudyard - Tracy R. Peterson
Rudyard - Ron Vansloten 

Saginaw - Brian W. Galsterer
Saginaw - Joel A. Keup
Saginaw - James J. Wood
Saline - William H. Kahn
Sandusky - Michael D. Dreyer
Saranac - Robert W. Simpson
Sears - Karen S. Ehl
Sheridan - Lorri A. Snyder
South Lyon - David Arvo
South Lyon - Amy E. Braun
Southfield - Berwyn Ellis
Southfield - Darcy A. Gitchuway
Southfield - Joseph L. Hamblin
Southfield - Justin M. Marshall
Southgate - Robert J. Tarabula
Spring Lake - Dennis R. Masson
St. Ignace - Denise E. Freed
St. Johns - Kevin P. Smith
St. Joseph - Robert Cultice
St. Clair Shores - Brandon A. Baetens
Sterling Heights - Russell P. Carl
Sterling Heights - Cliff T. Whiteside
Sturgis - Ron C. Abbs
Sturgis - Mark W. VanDosen
Swartz Creek - Mark W. Grantham
Sylvania (Ohio) - Andrew M. Dier 

Taylor - Anthony Maffesoli
Temperance - Larry A. Nocella Jr.
Traverse City - Mike F. Wolf
Trenton - Brien R. Baeckeroot
Troy - Peter R. Bucheli
Troy - Thomas D. Jendrusch
Twin Lake - Douglas A. Prim

Union City - Daniel J. Hanna

Vassar - Mark Dowe

Warren - Daswell L. Campbell
West Bloomfield - Alan K. Murray
West Branch - Jeremy M. Bewley
West Olive - Steve J. Bazan
West Olive - Rich Johnson
Westland - Jeremy L. Jozefczak
Westland - Kenneth G. Smith
Westphalia - Kenneth J. Spitzley
Whitehall - Harold F. Schneider
Whitmore Lake - James F. Kreklau Jr.
Wyandotte - Dawn R. Manthei
Wyoming - Edward J. Howes
Wyoming - Andrew W. McKellar 

Ypsilanti - Alexander M. Bade
Ypsilanti - David P. Lascewski 

Zeeland - Justin S. Bazan

30-YEAR OFFICIALS

Ada - Christopher R. Becker
Allegan - Rick Lee
Allendale - Matthew R. Carlson
Allendale - Gregory D. VanderGoot
Alma - Kathleen A. Paul
Alpena - Mark S. Uekman
Ann Arbor - Eric D. Zemper 

Baroda - Richard D. Albers
Baroda - Jerry T. Nitz
Bay City - Robert O. Huddleston
Bay City - Ronald L. Leahy
Belleville - Terry Landoski
Big Rapids - James N. Turner
Birmingham - Leon O. Braisted III
Bridgman - Dennis R. Ott
Brooklyn - Gary L. Schuch
Brownstown Township - Todd D. Skopczynski
Burton - Donald K. McCombs
Byron Center - Glennon W. Eckelkamp
Byron Center - John D. Philo
Byron Center - Jaime A. Pilbeam 

Caledonia - Tina J. Hamp
Caledonia - Walter E. Van Wyngarden
Canton - Kenneth M. Letts
Canton - John J. Vichinsky Jr.
Carsonville - Roy D. Calahan
Charlevoix - Martin B. Seyfried
Cheboygan - Jason R. Friday
Chelsea - Keith M. DePaoli
Clawson - Rene C. Brooks
Coopersville - Joseph E. Meerman
Coopersville - Lynn K. VanSickle 

Detroit - Donta Favors
Detroit - Joseph R. Flowers Jr.
Detroit - Jo Ann Jones
Detroit - Lawrence W. Miller
Dexter - Douglas A. Kelly
Dorr - Randy Kasper
Dowagiac - Scott E. Wiltse 

East Lansing - David M. Hallman
East Lansing - Theresa S. Shepard
East Tawas - Joseph M. Cano Jr.
Eaton Rapids - Joe H. Dixon Jr
Eau Claire - Dennis F. Ostyn
Ecorse - James I. Cooley
Escanaba - John F. Ziemba 

Farmington Hills - Diane M. Klucka
Fenton - Phillip J. Diener
Fenton - Thomas E. King Jr.
Flint - Terry A. DeCaire
Flint - Darrell A. Young
Flushing - Richard J. Murphy
Fountain - Duane R. Wolf
Frankenmuth - John W. Shelton 

Garden City - Mark K. Mazzon
Gaylord - John M. Tithof
Grand Blanc - Stanley Beard
Grand Blanc - Sami Khal
Grand Ledge - Mary K. Gavitt
Grand Rapids - Patrick G. McLaughlin
Grand Rapids - Jane C. Plaisted
Grand Rapids - Robert S. Ruschmann
Grand Rapids - Randy R. Sheahan
Grand Rapids - Brett A. Svacha
Grandville - James J. Backowski Jr. 

Hamilton - Kenneth W. Demann
Henderson - Karen A. Shuster
Hillsdale - William J. Mullaly
Holland - Peggy A. Lintemuth
Holland - Matthew M. McCrea
Holland - John L. Robertson
Holland - Scott W. Vanderstoep
Houghton - John B. Sanregret
Houghton - James A. Weiler
Howell - Frank A. Dame
Howell - Craig R. Williams
Hudsonville - Dale J. Heyboer
Hudsonville - Matthew D. Kuiper
Huntington Woods - Joseph J. Rozell 

Ithaca - Rodney W. Whitmore 

Jackson - Marla E. Grant
Jackson - Nelson D. Negus III
Jerome - Brad L. Brown 

Kalamazoo - Charlie D. Westervelt
Kawkawlin - Jack A. Servis
Kentwood - Robert A. Navarro
Kingsford - Jack B. Wallis 

Lake Orion - Michael J. Ley
Lansing - Mark G. Simon
Lathrup Village - Darryl A. Alexander
Lawrence - Allan D. Wood
Lincoln - Troy M. Somers
Livonia - Debby E. Karabees-Betts
Lowell - Shane S. Risner
Luther - John J. Syrewicze 

Macomb - Patrick J. Walsh
Mancelona - Edward L. McCarty
Manistique - Kevin K. Koski
Marinette (Wis.) - Keith Plude
Marquette - Michael J. Caster
Marquette - Todd E. Koski
Marquette - Brian W. Maki
Marquette - Charlie W. Morrison
Mason - Daniel P. Carmichael
Middleville - Steven P. Shutich
Midland - Gary R. Meredith
Midland - Jeffrey T. Servinski
Milan - Karen E. Draves
Milan - Larry D. Sanford
Monroe - Christopher H. Essex
Munising - Pete Kelto
Muskegon - Curtis L. Adams
Muskegon - Jeremy S. Goorman
Muskegon - Robert L. Graham

Newberry - Jason R. Depew
Niles - David Negron
Northville - Ronald R. Reinke
Norway - James J. Bal
Novi - Harold Butch Wingfield 

Olivet - Jeff S. Smith
Ontonagon - Dr. Joseph A. Strong
Orleans - Michael K. Kapustka
Owosso  - John T. Sandlin 

Peck - William A. Burns
Plymouth - Pericles L. Chiatalas
Portage - Todd R. Gooding
Portage - Larry L. Wegener
Portland - Karen J. Dugan

Quinnesec - Robert D. Forstrom 

Rockford - Brian L. Vogel
Rockford - Bruce F. Walterhouse
Romulus - Vincent B. Lewis
Royal Oak - James G. Demres 

Saginaw - Barry L. Damzyn
Sanford - Dave A. Jezowski
Schoolcraft - Jeffry P. Morgan
Scottville - Matthew C. Miller
Shelby Twp. - Steven L. Wood
South Bend (Ind.) - James E. Arnett
Southfield - Raymond Kelser
Sparta - William Kotchka
St. Charles - Raymond F. Guzy
St. Clair Shores - Rick A. Fields
St. Joseph - Kenneth J. Baratta
St. Joseph - Richard L. Bloodworth
St. Joseph - Stephen D. Petlick
St. Clair  - Ronald Churchill
Sterling Heights - Walter J. Kujawa 

Taylor - Raymond C. Kuhr
Three Rivers  - Robert J. Laverdure
Toledo (Ohio) - Tom M. Balas|
Traverse City - Bill Parker
Traverse City - John M. Sawyer
Troy - Robert L. Szmania 

Vicksburg - James R. Boer
Vulcan - Alan W. Richards 

Warren - Kenneth M. Stefanski
Washington - Jerome Angelo
Waterford - Ron H. Stafford
Waterford - Randy Welch
West Bloomfield - James M. Dworman
West Bloomfield - Brian C. Gurwin
West Branch - Michael R. Dematio
West Branch - David M. Gutierrez

40-YEAR OFFICIALS

Ada - Donald L. Slater

Battle Creek - Daniel L. Akins
Bay City - Charles A. Case
Bay City - William P. Heintskill
Bay City - Cindy L. Linton
Beaverton  - Ross S. Martin
Blissfield - Patrick L. Seiser
Boyne Falls - Craig W. Oldham
Byron Center - Leroy M. Hackley Jr. 

Cadillac - Kevin J. Hughes
Canton - James D. Gagleard
Caro - Mandy J. Knox
Cheboygan - Michael A. Grisdale
Coldwater - Ken Smoker
Comstock Park - Brian P. Macomber
Concord - Karen D. Anderson 

Dearborn - Thomas P. Arsenault
Dearborn Heights - Algirdas P. Norkunas
Dearborn Heights - Paul Oshanski
Detroit - Kevin M. Hall
Detroit - Willie Hall Jr.
Detroit - Darryl C. Jones Sr.
DeWitt - Rob A. Stanaway
Dowagiac - Thomas W. Russom

Fennville - Lowell A. Winne Jr.
Fenton - Danny L. Harris
Fenton - Anthony M. Mora
Flint - Robert L. Farrar
Frankfort - Karen Leinaar
Fruitport - Jeff S. VanBeek 

Gladstone - Michael F. Gobert
Gobles - Michael G. Long
Grand Haven - Patrick R. Hood
Greenville - Mark K. Schoenfelder
Grosse Pointe Farms - Margaret A. Gatliff 

Hastings - Jason L. Sixberry
Holt - Jamie C. Evans
Howell - Janice B. Holda
Howell - Richard W. Humphries
Hurley (Wis.) - Greg Rigoni

Iron Mountain - Steve A. La Coursier
Ironwood - Dennis A. Mackey
Ithaca - James L. Gross

Jackson - Richard J. Eby 

Kalamazoo - Mike L. Squires
Kawkawlin - William J. Jaynes 

Lambertville - Mark J. Dushane
Lapeer - Robert W. Thomas
Lawton - Michael F. Garvey
Leesburg - Wallace J. Green Jr.
Linden - Gary R. Duke
Linden - Jeffery R. Prince 

Manistee - John P. O'Hagan
Marlette - Fred Mroczek
Marysville - Patrick D. Sheehy
Mattawan - Robert M. Nicey
Mecosta - William O. Howes
Midland - Keith R. Netzley
Midland - Brian G. Roberts
Mt. Morris - Jeffery T. Flynn 

Nashville - Tony M. Joostberns
Newaygo - Dean A. Duchemin 

Oscoda - Duane W. Keck
Otisville - Frank R. Mar
Ottawa Lake - Jamie L. La Rocca

Plainwell - Lurinda A. Shrauger
Port Huron - Scott C. Tallmadge
Portage - Michael L. Bignell 

Rochester Hills - Timothy J. Soave

Saugatuck - Ross J. Such
Saugatuck - Timothy J. Woodby
Sault Ste. Marie - David A. Blaskowski
South Lyon - Michael T. Schram
St. Clair Shores - Gary M. Gassen
St. Joseph - Gilbert J. Urban
St. Clair - David W. Baumgart
Stanton - Randy L. Reese
Sterling Heights - Edward S. MacKool Jr.
Stevensville - Fredrick J. Smith
Sylvania (Ohio) - William F. Bisbee Jr. 

Taylor - Michael D. Mullin
Temperance - Carroll J. Selmek
Three Oaks - Michael J. Smith
Traverse City - Kenneth M. Allen 

Utica - Carl W. Territo

Warren - Thomas J. Mastrovito
Washington - James A. Bade
West Bloomfield - Patrick B. Paul
Woodhaven - Michael A. VonLinsowe
Wyandotte - Michael J. Gniewek

45-YEAR OFFICIALS

Alger - Leroy A. Oliver
Alpena - Phil C. Schultz 

Berrien Springs - Jamie L. Stacey
Big Rapids - Jill E. Baker-Cooley
Brighton - Thomas J. Mora
Brimley - Jerald P. Cook 

Cadillac - William T. Bartholomew
Caledonia - Conroy Zuiderveen
Cheboygan - Lynwood Leightner Jr.
Clarksville - Jim D. Johnson
Concord - Charles T. Ewing 

Daggett - Michael P. Lyons
Dearborn Heights - Kevin P. Kabacinski
Decatur - Patrick L. Boitnott
Delta - William H. Wiseman
Detroit - James E. Briggs 

Fenton - Douglas M. Pastor
Flint - James V. Newell
Fremont - James M. Goorhouse 

Galesburg - William W. Weese
Gaylord - Paul B. Holmes
Genesee - Douglas W. Tipton
Grosse Pointe Woods - Robert E. Zaranek 

Harbor Beach - Steven M. Linn
Hillsdale - Bruce Caswell
Hudson - Fred C. Bowers
Hudson - Patrick W. Wollet
Hudsonville - Bob C. Wojcik 

Iron Mountain - John R. Pucci

Jackson - Steven C. Town
Jackson - Chuck D. Walters 

Kalamazoo - Willie B. Watson

Lake - Kathleen V. Hutfilz
Lake Orion - Michael J. Callahan
Lansing - Sam L. Davis
Lansing - Donald J. Yuvan 

Madison Heights - Marie S. Bessler
Madison Heights - Richard L. Hillman
Manistee - Jo L. Arnold
Manistee - David A. Nemecek
Marshall - David N. Benham
Marshall - Linda K. Hoover
Marysville - Joel P. Venia
Mendon - Patrick J. Conroy
Midland - Ken P. Beaudin
Monroe  - Barry Little 

Niles - Michael J. Nate

Okemos - Jay Marcotullio

Portage - Richard M. Bird
Portage - Mike T. Hinga 

Ravenna - Thomas C. Wright
Rochester - Brian E. York
Rochester Hills - Fred B. Castelvetere
Rockford - Timothy G. Erickson 

Saginaw - Roberta A. Beyerlein
Sandusky - Alan DeMott
Scottville - Rodney D. Marshall
Shelby - Edmundo Flores
St. Clair Shores - Tom P. Frattini
St. Ignace - Donald P. Gustafson
St. Joseph - David J. Buck 

Temperance - Randall A. Sehl
Toledo (Ohio) - Jon Everhart
Traverse City - Mark E. Stewart
Trenton - Frederick L. Bruley 

Vicksburg - Timothy A. Baker

Wallace - Bruce A. Pearson
White Cloud - Tony A. McHattie
Whitmore Lake - David L. Wint 

Zeeland - Marvin F. Hinga
Zeeland - Richard W. Lott
Zeeland - Eric D. Wills

50-YEAR OFFICIALS

Ada - Bryan D. Cullens Jr.
Adrian - Judith A. Walter-Kohn
Albion - Raymond Drysdale
Alpena - David M. Kuznicki
Ann Arbor - Jack L. Coffey 

Battle Creek - Steven K. Higgs
Bay City - Thomas F. Cole
Berrien Springs - Timothy A. Krieger
Boyne City - Kirk D. Kujawski
Brighton - Bill T. Rubin
Brooklyn - Michael J. Timms
Byron Center - Andrew J. DeVries 

Caledonia - Edward T. Hedgecock
Canton - Dennis J. Bostwick
Canton - Terry A. Wash
Clarkston - Eugene R. English Jr.
Clawson - Betty A. Wroubel 

Davison - James L. Eastman
Dearborn Heights - Lou Giroux
Detroit - Lawrence D. Freeman
Detroit - Billy L. Waters
Dowagiac - Randy J. Melvin 

East Leroy - James Alday 

Fenton - Martin R. Covert 

Grand Rapids - Robert G. Galvin
Grandville - Andrew J. Kovac
Grayling - Thomas A. Kemp
Grosse Ile - James R. Knopp
Grosse Pointe Farms - Mike C. Dempsey 

Hemlock - Rudy Godefroidt
Holly - Paul W. Matson
Howell - Dennis M. Troshak
Hudsonville - Allan J. Owens 

Jackson - Michael C. French

Kentwood - Betty J. Near 

Lansing - Ken J. Sudall

Marysville - Mark A. Brochu
Mason - Victor T. Cena
Michigan Center - Charles D. Sprang
Middleville - Bruce F. Bender
Milan - Brad D. Susterka
Monroe - Eric E. Jenkins
Monroe - Joseph A. McCormick
Mt. Pleasant - Dale P. Brecht
Mt. Pleasant - James R. MacLean II
Muskegon - Craig W. Weirich 

Negaunee - Steven R. Ayotte
Newaygo - Dave Baldus
Northville - Ann K. Hutchins 

Ontonagon - Eugene Fiszer

Rives Junction - Dale A. Baum
Rochester Hills - Tom Delia Jr.
Rogers City - Gerald Purgiel
Royal Oak - Byron A. Photiades
Royal Oak - Carol A. Sheldon 

Saginaw - Ronald L. Dressler
Saugatuck - Catherine Dritsas
South Haven - Henry L. Allen
Swartz Creek - Larry L. Schutt 

Taylor - Terry H. Styer
Tekonsha - Daniel A. Washburn
Three Rivers - Richard L. Simon
Troy - Kenyon D. Shively 

Warren - Hugh R. Jewell
Waterford - Frederick A. Cohen
Waterford - Burton Hurshe
Waterford - Thomas R. Sullivan Jr
Wayland - Norman L. Taylor
Whitmore Lake - Charles E. Lindsay
Wyandotte - Michael R. McMahon

55-YEAR OFFICIALS

Byron Center - Joe A. Zomerlei

Canton - Pamela G. Yockey
Custer - Edward C. Miller 

Dryden - Louis W. Miramonti

Grand Rapids - Robert J. Rodenhouse

Kingsford - Joseph R. Reddinger

Lakeport - Donna H. Frohm
Lansing - Donald R. Murray
Lansing - Darwin S. Petersen 

Monroe - Albert M. Fernandez
Muskegon - Larry T. Vaandering 

New Baltimore - James C. Cleverley

Okemos - Tom Woiwode
Onsted - John M. Springer 

Vassar - Harold (Dan) Johnson

60-YEAR OFFICIALS

Allegan - George R. Babcock

Boyne City - Gary L. Francis

Detroit - Geraldine Jackson

Grand Rapids - Frank E. Waskelis

Ithaca - Dean Parling

Niles - James G. Murray

Okemos - Thomas L. Minter

Swartz Creek - Phillip P. Long

PHOTO Debby Karabees-Betts, standing above the net, officiates the 2016 MHSAA Division 4 Girls Volleyball Final.