Hayes Continues to Cultivate Growth of Lacrosse, Generations of Officials

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

May 18, 2022

This spring, more than 60 years after she graduated from high school, Pat Hayes is officiating five and sometimes six girls lacrosse games a week.

The sport has grown significantly especially over the last 20 years, and there are games at all levels to be played. And Hayes, who has helped guide that growth from the sport’s start in Michigan, has helped make sure those games do get played whether as the assigner of officials to work them, trainer of officials build up the ranks or often as the umpire herself.

Pat Hayes “I played four sports in high school; that’s all we had back then – basketball, swimming, field hockey and tennis,” Hayes said. “And (my coach) said to me, ‘Just remember the last time you didn’t have officials on one of your field hockey games, or basketball games.’ I said, ‘Well, we always had umpires.’ And she said, ‘When you leave here, that’s your time to give back to the next girls. And I’ve been doing that ever since.”

A knowledgeable leader and valued voice for girls lacrosse from its start in Michigan, Hayes’ dedication to the sport began long before its eventual sponsorship by the Michigan High School Athletic Association began with the 2004-05 school year. A longtime coach and official, Hayes has helped guide the growth of the sport most recently as one of the most respected umpires, officials assigners and trainers in the state – and she is being honored for those contributions with this year’s MHSAA Vern L. Norris Award.

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.

Hayes is in her 22^nd year as an MHSAA-registered official, a tenure which has included eight years of soccer, five of volleyball and one of basketball – and every season of lacrosse since it became an MHSAA-sponsored sport nearly two decades ago. She also has built a legendary international career as an official for field hockey, which while not an MHSAA-sponsored sport is played by more than 30 of the state’s high schools.

Hayes has officiated both field hockey and lacrosse since graduating from Detroit Western High School in 1958. She also has more than three decades of coaching experience across multiple sports, and is best-known by the most recent generations in her sports as a prized trainer and officials assigner especially in lacrosse and field hockey.

“My reward, when I train somebody, is watching them excel, and my real reward is if they get picked to do a (MHSAA) Final, and there have been several of them that I have trained that have done that,” she said. “And several of them now are doing college lacrosse, which is even more of a reward for me. Watching them go and excel and move on to the next level is my reward.”

While still a student at Wayne State University in 1960-61, Hayes coached field hockey and started the lacrosse program at Grosse Pointe Sacred Heart Academy. After two years there, she moved to Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart, where she remained until 1970 teaching chemistry and biology, coaching field hockey, lacrosse, basketball and volleyball and serving as athletic director as well.

She then left teaching with the birth of her second of three daughters, but continued to officiate. When her daughters reached high school at Birmingham Seaholm, she returned as a coach of the Maples’ freshman boys and then junior varsity girls basketball teams. In 1985 she began a 22-year stint at Detroit Country Day coaching girls lacrosse with five years also coaching freshman boys basketball. She coached the Yellowjackets girls lacrosse team to the first Division 2 championship game and a runner-up finish in 2005.

Hayes currently assigns lacrosse officials for 28 schools as part of the Lacrosse Zebras Organization of Michigan. She has worked seven MHSAA Girls Lacrosse Finals and also officiated college lacrosse at the Division II and III levels. She is retiring this spring after 35 years assigning girls soccer officials as well.

Perhaps her most legendary work has come in field hockey. She played on the U.S. national team and over the last half-century has been considered among the top field hockey officials in the world. She has officiated that sport at the college level for 45 years, with an NCAA Championship assignment in 1986, and she also officiated three World Cup tournaments and the 2004 Olympics as a technical official. She assigns officials for all of Michigan’s high school field hockey games during the sport’s fall season.

Hayes has been recognized numerous times for her extensive service to school sports. She was inducted into the U.S. Lacrosse Michigan Chapter Hall of Fame in 2009 and was named an honorary member of the USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004. She was named to the Bloomfield Hills Roeper School Hall of Fame in 2016 and Detroit Catholic High School League Hall of Fame in 2018. She received the Oakland County Athletic Director Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

"Pat has been a leader and pioneer in officiating, especially creating opportunities for female officials. She has been a true leader for years in lacrosse, soccer and field hockey," MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. "She has that perfect combination of compassion, toughness, grace and grit. Michigan's officiating community is fortunate to have Pat Hayes."

Hayes graduated from Detroit Western High School in 1958 and with a bachelor’s degree in education from Wayne State University in 1962.

In addition to her continued service to athletics, Hayes has received the Good Neighbor Award for volunteering with the Quarton Lake Neighborhood Association in Birmingham.

Hayes and husband John Hayes were married 50 years, until his death in 2016. Their three daughters all played college athletics, but not lacrosse or field hockey – instead golf, volleyball and soccer.

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 Park
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

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 55 & 60-YEAR OFFICIALS

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

20-YEAR OFFICIALS

Adrian – Christopher M. Jones
Albion – Matt M. Overweg
Ann Arbor – Brad R. Nevin
Ann Arbor – Luis E. Acosta
Auburn – David J. Radke

Battle Creek – Melvin C. McKnight
Bay City – Thomas E. Barnikow
Bay City – Martin Brown
Bellaire – William J. Johnston
Bellaire – Michael A. Sizen
Belmont – Terrence P. Kerwin
Berrien Springs – Daryl L. Boughton
Beulah – Joe M. Johnson
Birch Run – Joel D. Barnes
Boyne City – Hal G. Price
Brimley – Vincent A. Gross
Bristol – Milan Vuchenich
Burton – Michael J. Vogt
Byron Center – Patrick J. Lane

Canton – Christopher J. Floyd
Canton – Robert R. Maybouer
Canton – Donald W. Mullett
Cassopolis – Charles A. Conner
Cassopolis – Douglas S. Conner
Chesterfield – Erik C. Law
Chesterfield – Ronald G. Masters
Clinton Township – Richard G. Croci
Coldwater – Courtney J. Dean
Coloma – James G. Kalinowski
Commerce Township – James J. McGuigan

Davison – Scott McConnelee
Davison – Edward D. Rodden
Dearborn – Ralph D. Capler
Dearborn – Oliver H. Fragoso
Dearborn – Joseph M. Salmassi
Detroit – Hershell Bell Jr.
Detroit – Rayford Evans
Detroit – Donald F. Gay Jr.
Detroit – Andrew Hill Jr.
Detroit – Herman Pierce
Detroit – Sherell S. Stanley Esq.
Detroit – Gregory Williams
Detroit – Richard A. Hughes
DeWitt – Bret J. Wegenke
Dryden – Mark E. Stevens

Farmington Hills – Jeffrey E. Dornseifer
Farmington Hills – Rob T. Holmes
Farwell – James C. Betts
Fenton – Donald G. Lougheed
Flat Rock – Patricia L. Brodie
Flint – Chris R. Daly
Flushing – Angela Del Morone
Flushing – William J. Furno
Flushing – Thomas F. Theile
Freeland – Bob Diekman
Fremont – Ty Miller
Fruitport – Chad J. Vanderstelt

Gaylord – Michele R. Curtis
Gladwin – Kevin S. Krenzke
Gobles – Michael R. Spencer
Grand Haven – Michael E. Keith
Grand Haven – Ben Wieringa
Grand Ledge – Matthew R. Allen
Grand Rapids – Marquese T. Allen Sr.
Grand Rapids – Kecia Y. Bennett
Grand Rapids – Charles F. Ely III
Grand Rapids – Brett A. Lambert
Grand Rapids – Jay Spencer
Grand Rapids – Gregory S. Yarhouse
Grosse Pointe – Lisa Favors
Grosse Pointe Woods – Michael A. Zilli
Gwinn – Kathy G. Foulks
Gwinn – Steven M. Foulks

Hamtramck – Thomas A. Habitz Jr.
Hartland – Steven P. Tannar
Hillsdale – Bruce A. Britton
Holland – Michael D. Costello
Holland – Vincent L. Duckworth
Holland – Karl Z. Nadolsky
Holland – Heather M. Tietze
Holland – Matt B. Vanderhulst
Holland – David M. Zessin
Howell – Ryan E. Decker
Hudsonville – Bruce Ritsema

Ironwood – Dan L. Meyer
Ironwood – Jeffrey R. Wasley
Ishpeming – John L. Burke

Jackson – Todd R. Sonnenberg
Jackson – Justin D. Ward
Jenison – Mark K. Lundvick

Kalamazoo – Bruce Beery
Kalamazoo – Kris M. Brown Jr.
Kalamazoo – Alan E. Clark
Kalamazoo – William S. Wilkinson
Kaleva – Michael Phillips
Kentwood – Gerry Erb

Lake Orion – Debra L. Bunker-Plasters
Lambertville – Tom M. Condon
Lambertville – Steven M. Rechsteiner
Lansing – Joseph Bard Jr.
Lansing – Donald Childs
Lansing – Natalie J. Queen
Lapeer – Peter S. Haggadone
Litchfield – Mickey J. Rowe
Livonia – Dennis O. Betts
Livonia – Kevin J. Kashat
Ludington – Genevieve M. Knudsen
Ludington – J. R. Schoon

Macomb – Marc W. Sonnenfeld
Manistique – Kelley L. Spettel
Marinette – Jim Kostura
Marquette – Blaine M. Barabas
Marquette – Roxin Zhang
Mason – Heidi S. Hopper
Mason – Robert D. Manes
Midland – Stephen A. Kamin
Milan – Ryan P. Chadderton
Millington – Glen W. Reinert
Monroe – Terrance E. Leabhart
Monroe – Thomas M. Malik
Mount Pleasant – Audie S. Hawkins Sr.

Newport – Kenneth H. Trimiew
North Branch – Luke D. Reynolds
North Muskegon – Anthony T. McBride
Novi – Rick A. VanDerVeer
Novi – Jeffrey S. Woodbury

Okemos – Matthew D. Wilcox
Ontonagon – Patrick A. Pestka
Oxford – Elizabeth A. Cilfone

Petoskey – John F. Tompkins
Portage – Curtis D. Messing
Portage – William L. Rutledge
Portage – David W. Steinmiller

Reese – Kent A. Houghtaling
Reese – Kris K. Shoemate
Richland – Glenn R. Bushouse
Rochester – Luis J. Arellano
Rochester Hills – Peter L. Olson
Rockford – Todd J. Frazier
Royal Oak – James V. Stockel
Rudyard – Steven T. May

Saginaw – Luke S. Schmiege
Sault Ste. Marie – Mike Heyboer
Scotts – David J. Blough
Shelby Township – Gregory J. Lefevre
Shelby Township – Denise L. Roeschke
Southfield – Joel E. Moore
Springport – Steven B. Keeler
St. Helen – Donald L. Hancock
Standish – Steven J. Stodolak
Sterling Heights – David R. Krellwitz
Stevensville – Daniel S. Barz
Swanton – Paul Ramirez
Swartz Creek – Mike Gomez
Swartz Creek – Timothy M. Mowry

Taylor – Cedric Binns
Toledo – Jeremy L. Petroff
Trenton – Eric A. Towe
Trenton – Jason J. Towe
Troy – Peter R. Bucheli

Vanderbilt – John W. Bifoss Jr.
Vicksburg – Carl E. Keller

Wakefield – Peter W. Yon
Warren – Kevin S. Kitka
Washington – William B. Pochinco
West Bloomfield – Kenneth M. Bertin
Westland – Calvin E. Denson
Wolverine – Daniel D. Ashenfelter
Wyoming – Darryl M. Dillard

Ypsilanti – Eva L. Bower

Zeeland – Ted C. Patrick

30-YEAR AWARDS

Albion – Arthur E. Kale

Battle Creek – Laurie S. Mueller
Bay City – Gary L. Merrill
Beverly Hills – Thomas I. Prysby
Bonita Springs – Bryan R. Wild
Byron Center – Todd A. Powell

Cambridge – Mark D. Dooley
Capac – Tom R. Mailloux
Carleton – Geno R. Walker
Cedar Springs – Shane P. Wood
Charlotte – Ron W. Bristol
Charlotte – Michael K. Sumner
Cheboygan – Thom L. Wissner
Columbiaville – Russell M. Cossaboom

Davisburg – Leo P. Flynn
Dearborn Heights – Kenneth E. Butler
Detroit – Damon M. Brown
Detroit – Rich J. Plackowski
DeWitt – Jeffrey R. Spedoske
DeWitt – Mark R. Uyl
Dowagiac – Larry G. Brewer
Dowagiac – Don East

East China – Kirk A. Seibert
East China – Michael J. Welser
East Tawas – Kenneth C. Baker
Escanaba – Kevin P. Ayotte
Essexville – David A. Lovely

Falmouth – Don L. Blue Jr.
Fennville – Philip R. Bard
Ferndale – Mose F. Smith Jr.

Gaylord – Vern W. Collins
Grand Blanc – Dean P. Tondreau
Grand Haven – Lori L. Spelde
Grand Ledge – Daniel P. West
Grand Rapids – Pete M. Cool
Grand Rapids – Geoffrey Henderson
Grand Rapids – Dwayne W. Moore
Grass Lake – Daniel S. Trudell

Harbor Beach – Darryl J. Wehner
Hartland – Larry A. Mach
Hemlock – James R. La Grow II
Holton – Joseph M. Stine

Indian River – David M. Reeb
Iron Mountain – Bruce M. Tapio
Iron Mountain – Hans E. Wienke

Jackson – Paul A. McDonald

Kalamazoo – O'Neal Ollie

Lake City – Richard A. Bradley
Lake Orion – Michael K. Sopko
Lakeport – Kenneth E. Marzka
Lansing – Scott Barnes
Lansing – Lloyd Richard Kieft
Leslie – Juan P. Zamora Jr.
Livonia – Sharon E. Harris-Agrusa
Ludington – Aaron R. Condit

Mesick – Daniel L. Cochrane
Monroe – James T. Beck
Monroe – Brian A. Lamour
Morrice – Andrew P. Flynn
Mount Clemens – Shawn C. Dinkfelt

New Baltimore – Thomas L. Hebben
Norton Shores – Brian R. Holman
Novi – Ron S. Angell

Oakland Township – John C. Bowie
Ortonville – Stephen M. Hendershott
Owosso – Thomas F. Rau

Paw Paw – David P. DeCou
Petersburg – David J. Szenderski
Pinckney – Charles F. Krochmal
Pinconning – Denny M. Wiltse
Port Huron – Tyrone T. Christmas
Portage – William F. Louthan

Reese – David H. Selden
Riverview – Gary E. Kulchar
Rockford – Angela C. DeVito

Saginaw – Michael W. Clark
Saginaw – Brian J. Weaver
Saint Charles – Larry G. Graf
Shelby Township – David J. Roeschke
South Haven – Timothy J. Rediess
South Rockwood – James E. Martin
Southfield – Wayne C. Smith
Spring Lake – David C. Gross
St Clair – Dale R. Kaufman
St Ignace – Eric J. Danielson
St Ignace – Robert J. Lee
St Johns – Daniel J. LeVeque
St Joseph – John W. Ruddell
Stevensville – Larry L. Ward
Swartz Creek – Terry L. Scrivener
Sylvania – Shawn R. Glass

Traverse City – Kevin A. Novorolsky

Waterford – Marc J. Cooper
West Bloomfield – Donald C. Brewer
West Bloomfield – Barry E. Yett
West Branch – Anthony J. Buckett
Whitehall – Warren F. Kent III
Wyandotte – John P. Rzeppa

40-YEAR AWARDS

Adrian – Brenda Betz
Allen Park – Brett S. Davis

Bay Harbor – Peter C. Fitzsimons
Berrien Springs – Michael B. Emerson
Boyne City – Jeffery A. Grice
Buckley – Charles E. Bott
Burton – Gibbon J. Goulish

Chesterfield – James P. Lewis

Dearborn – Gary J. Trocino
Dearborn Heights – Alan Kevwitch
Dearborn Heights – Shaun P. Soraghan
Decatur – Daniel K. Benson

Farmington – Gerald G. Potter
Farmington Hills – Peter Beer
Fenton – Mark D. Larson

Gladwin – Rick C. Stone
Goshen – Stephen V. Grinczel
Grand Rapids – William J. Wagner
Grand Rapids – Brian M. Zdanowski
Grandville – Peter J. VanGessel
Greenville – Thomas W. Kohn
Grosse Pointe – Michael J. Peltz

Holly – Dale M. Smith
Howell – Thomas J. Guilmette
Howell – Kenneth G. Wikle

Jackson – Tim E. Hoffman
Jackson – Phillip T. Westheimer
Jackson – Dennis V. Whitehead

Kalamazoo – Trent J. Anderson
Kalamazoo – Michael T. Aumack
Kalamazoo – Carol Willson

Lake Worth – Russell D. Johnson
Livonia – David J. Askew
Livonia – James M. Gibbons

Mason – Mark R. Sefcik
Monroe – Michael T. Knabusch

Newport – George S. Harvey

Oak Park – Robert L. Czech
Owosso – Michael Selleck
Oxford – Michael L. Dunn

Paw Paw – Horace M. Turner
Plainwell – John R. Martin
Portage – Gary A. Therrian
Posen – Mary E. Wozniak

Quinnesec – David R. Soderbloom

Saginaw – Rudy T. Kocsis
Saginaw – Ray Powers
Shelby Township – Helmut Egger
St. Clair Shores – Ross Klein
St. Ignace – Martin J. Spencer

Troy – Ramiro J. Bucheli

Weidman – Eric E. Gronda
West Bloomfield – Brian W. McKenna
Wolverine – Stephen M. Johnson

45-YEAR AWARDS

Adrian – Don C. Fry
Alma – Bruce M. Moss

Bristol – David J. Blough
Brooklyn – Thomas W. Crampton
Brown City – Richard Lee

Climax – Wayne C. Patterson
Crystal – Robert A. Youngs

Davison – Douglas C. Dillon
Davison – Randy Hutton
Detroit – Patricia E. Jones
Detroit – Bertha M. Smiley
DeWitt – John C. Hoekje

Farmington Hills – John D. Scott
Fenton – Richard D. Massa
Frankenmuth – Dennis Krafft

Gladstone – David P. Gagnon

Hazel Park – Ronald R. Nagy
Highland – Deborah S. Heck

Imlay City – Jeff M. Weingartz
Ionia – Paul D. Carmichael
Iron Mountain – John J. Sacchetti
Iron Mountain – Doug A. Schupp
Ironwood – Jeff D. Haapoja

Kalamazoo – Kirk G. Hart

Lansing – Bryan L. Smith
Linden – Reed W. Johnson

Manistee – Tom L. Guenthardt
Muskegon – Jeffery A. Burr

Negaunee – Philip M. DeGabriele
Norton Shores – Richard L. Anderegg
Norton Shores – Jim Tate

Plymouth – Thomas J. Poma
Posen – Frank Wozniak

Rapid River – Jeffrey A. Schram

Saginaw – Charles S. Sherman
Saginaw – Suzanne R. Swanton

Shelby Township – Michael L. Hessen
St. Clair – Garth E. Jones
Sturgis – David R. Cherry

Trenton – Max Monas
Troy – Joseph E. Thilman

Warren – Larry R. Leeper
Warren – Stephen Stuckey
Williamston – Michael A. Nestell

50-YEAR AWARDS

Battle Creek – Charles M. Hobbs
Brighton – Bruce D. Ritter

Davison – Patrick J. McKenna

Farmington – Raymond A. Cranston

Grand Rapids – Tom J. Essenburg

Howell – James L. Downs

Iron Mountain – Kenneth E. Marchetti

Ludington – Ronald E. Mousel

Plymouth – Brian F. Foust

Saginaw – John B. Musulin
Spruce – Leslie L. Miller
St. Clair Shores – George Mihalic
St. Joseph – Frederick A. Fenrick
Sunrise – Thomas J. Lieckfelt

Taylor – Alphonse P. Ruffner
Tekonsha – Brian C. Briegel

Westland – James J. McPartlin
Wyoming – Robert L. Stewart

55-YEAR AWARDS

Clarkston – Tony Malinowski
Comstock Park – Paul L. VanOveren

Grand Rapids – Kenneth H. Terpstra

Haslett – Rodney H. Horton

Negaunee – Roland K. Koski

Owosso – Jim G. Niemiec

Rochester Hills – Walter E. Popyk

West Bloomfield – Alan K. Kaczander

60-YEAR AWARDS

Mount Pleasant – Norman R. Sorenson

St. Clair Shores – Diane M. Johnson

PHOTO Official Pat Hayes sets up the opening faceoff for the 2009 Division 2 Final. (MHSAA file photo.)

Norris Honoree Continues Setting Standards on Track, as Mentor

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

May 19, 2021

A staple of Michigan High School Athletic Association postseason track & field events for more than three decades, Grand Rapids’ Lewis Clingman continues to serve as an easily-recognizable host of Regionals and Finals in that sport for teams from all over the Lower Peninsula each spring.

But his tireless service to school sports stretches across the entire school year and is rooted in 53 years as an MHSAA-registered game official, and those contributions are being celebrated with his selection for this year’s MHSAA Vern L. Norris Award.

Clingman was to be honored with his Norris Award this month at the MHSAA’s 41^st Officials’ Awards & Alumni Banquet. However, the banquet was canceled for the second-straight year due to safety concerns because of COVID-19. He instead will accept his award as part of a virtual banquet to be published on the MHSAA Website and social media feeds later this spring.

Clingman first registered as an MHSAA official for the 1968-69 school year, to work track & field, basketball, baseball and softball. He has registered for track & field throughout his 53-year officiating tenure, and added cross country during the 2009-10 school year. He has officiated nine cross country and four track & field MHSAA Finals.

But that just scratches the surface of his many contributions. He is noted by many as a mentor – 2018 Norris Award honoree Jill Baker-Cooley that year specifically recognized Clingman among those who assisted her in getting started in the avocation. He also has been a catalyst of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Track & Field Finals’ two-decade run in the Grand Rapids area, where as a meet manager he continues to schedule and organize officials for all four locations of the season-ending series.

“I love being with the kids. It’s for the kids. And that’s why we’re here,” Clingman said. “The camaraderie with the other professionals that I’m with, and just watching the successes that go on. … But I love being with the kids. My kids are all gone; they’re all over the country, my grandkids are around the country. This is a great way to substitute (by serving) the kids who are here.

“If you’re in this for ego, you’re in the wrong business. And if you’re in this to make a lot of money and retire, you’re in the wrong business. When you think about it, 50 years of officiating, there’s a lot of (officials) who don’t last that long – they don’t because they’re not in the right business. But there’s a lot of people in this area, that are officiating, have been officiating, who will be (longtime officials) because they do it for the right reason.”

Clingman is a longtime member of the Association of Track Officials of Michigan (ATOM) and has received its Bob Bloomer Award, Bernie Abrams President’s Leadership Award, Art Jevert/Bruce Jacobs Distinguished Service Award, and three times its Past President’s Service Award. He also is a member of the West Michigan Officials Association.

Clingman also has served more than 40 years as an administrator, teacher and coach. He began his career at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Comstock Park, serving as middle school athletic director and basketball coach while also coaching football and track at Comstock Park High School. He served as head boys basketball and track coach and football assistant at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills during the second half of the 1970s and after also serving as head basketball coach for five seasons at St. Joseph’s Prep in Grand Rapids.

He moved on to serve as athletic director at East Grand Rapids High School, then after a brief stint in the business world began a 20-year tenure teaching middle school for Grand Rapids Public Schools before retiring from GRPS in 2011. During that time he became the spring event manager at Houseman Field, where at its peak he hosted on average a combined nine high school and college track meets per week. He also during his time at GRPS served as an assistant coach in football, basketball and track at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. He joined the staff at Catholic Central seven years ago and continues to serve as event manager and assistant to the athletic director.

Clingman was added to the Grand Rapids Catholic Central Wall of Honor in 2016 and has received a GRPS service award.

“Lew has been someone who has given tirelessly, most of all of his time, over the years to really benefit not just officiating but school sports as a whole,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “The work Lew has done, specifically recruiting and training track & field officials – providing for a sport we don’t think of very often as having those needs – and the work he’s done with ATOM has just been incredible. There’s been nobody more important to the track & field and cross country officiating community than Lew Clingman.”

Clingman graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central in 1965 and with bachelor’s degrees in history, physical education and English from Aquinas College in 1969. He earned a master’s in secondary administration from Michigan State University in 1978.

In addition to his continued service to Catholic Central, Clingman serves on the Aquinas Hall of Fame Committee and Alumni Association board, and on the Grand Rapids Public Schools committee for Houseman Field renovation. He also serves as an official for local Special Olympics events.

Clingman and his wife Cindy have been married 52 years. They have four children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Previous recipients of the Norris Award:

High school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service also are being honored with service awards. Twenty-three officials with 50 years of service are being honored, along with 49 officials with 45 years. A 40-year award is being presented to 40 officials. In addition, 98 officials with 30 years and 181 officials with 20 years of experience are being honored.

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45 & 50-YEAR OFFICIALS

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

20-YEAR OFFICIALS

Ada - Carl J. Cress
Alto - Joseph E. Geroux
Alto - Jeff A. Harp
Ann Arbor - Dana P. Fuller
Ann Arbor - Thomas R. Sumner
Armada - David R. Coenen

Battle Creek - Douglas R. Jones
Battle Creek - Steven C. Peine
Battle Creek - Ronald D. Stewart
Battle Creek - Pete A. Zapata
Bay City - Robert A. Bluhm Jr.
Bay City - Brad G. Champagne
Bay City - William R. Walter
Belleville - Rodney M. Sullens
Belmont - Duncan Powell
Berkley - Tony A. Beaulieu
Breckenridge - Gerald W. Saunders
Brighton - Melissa M. Flores
Brockway - Dennis L. Gerlach
Brownstown - Larry D. Pierce
Brownstown - Michael V. Roach
Brownstown Township - Joseph P. Ciaravino
Brownstown Township - Franco Gonzalez Jr.
Bruce Township - Nicholas G. Nowakowski
Burt - William J. Carstens
Burt - Ryan D. Galloway

Cadillac - Steve W. Fuhst
Caledonia - Daniel A. Stockel
Canton - Robert L. Altizer
Canton - Steve Nesovski
Cheboygan - Gail N. Scharffe III
Chesaning - Leonard L. Strait Jr.
Clinton Township - Arthur D. Jones
Clinton Township - Rachel M. Krone
Clinton Township - David T. Ryall
Coldwater - Scott D. Galloway
Crystal Falls - Thomas P. Courchaine

Davison - Joseph Whitman
Dearborn - Joseph D. Corso
Dearborn Heights - Stan M. Karchefske
Deford - Larry R. Barrons
Detroit - Michael G. Byrd
Detroit - Brian K. Smith
Detroit - Gaylon B. Williams
DeWitt - Quentin V. Alverson
Dexter - Robert J. Leadley
Dowagiac - Jim R. Nate
Drummond Island - Jack K. Miles

Empire - Charles M. Leduc
Essexville - Gary P. Schulz

Flint - Matt S. Kateman
Flushing - Todd J. Willis
Frankenmuth - Mark C. Jarlock
Freeland - Jerry J. Haines
Fremont - John H. Pell

Garden City - Lawrence P. Mills
Grand Haven - John F. Jakubiec
Grand Rapids - Steven E. Hedke
Grand Rapids - Michael James
Grand Rapids - Kevin B. Krauss
Grand Rapids - Timothy J. Likens
Grand Rapids - Megan J. Pell
Grand Rapids - Thomas D. Siver
Grand Rapids - Ronald D. Masters
Grandville - Richard J. Funk
Grandville - Troy A. Ungrey
Grawn - Kenneth C. Koehler
Grayling - Timothy J. Swope
Greenville - Martin A. Taylor
Grosse Ile - Raymond D. Geist
Grosse Pointe Farms - William C. Cunningham

Hastings - Andrew L. Discher
Hastings - Pattrick M. Jansens
Hillsdale - Keven D. Wolcott
Holland - Jeffrey A. Carper
Holland - George W. Kantz Jr.
Holland - Michael B. Torrey
Holt - Troy Gladstone
Hubbard Lake - Gary A. Medland
Hudsonville - John D. Wiercinski

Iron Mountain - William D. Edberg
Iron River - Robert P. Busakowski
Ironwood - Don J. Cvengros

Jackson - Nathan A. Gross
Jackson - Scott S. Maurer

Kalamazoo - Timothy J. Eastman
Kalamazoo - Janelle B. Holland
Kalamazoo - Robert A. King
Kalamazoo - Deborah L. Noble
Kalamazoo - Robert V. Wagley
Kalamazoo - Keith Williams
Kaleva - James K. Frizzell Sr.
Kent City - Rick D. Stockhill
Kentwood - Jermaine C. Jennings
Kentwoood - Donell R. Jones
Kingsford - Nicholas L. Gayan

Lake Orion - Michael J. Ley
Lansing - Gary N. Simpson
Lansing - Anthony D. Winston
Lenox Township - John J. Essenmacher
Leslie - Robert V. Barrett
Leslie - Jerry E. Miller
Linwood - Brad T. Wehner
Livonia - Ken Lauer
Lowell - Mark T. Bradburn
Lowell - Paul P. Durkee
Lowell - Chris T. German

Macomb - Gordon Machleit
Macomb Township - Ronald K. Jacobs
Madison Heights - Amy Bessler
Madison Heights - David B. McPhail
Manistee - Curtis J. Mathieu
Marcellus - Wade L. Bent
Marinette - Robert Deschaine Jr.
Marysville - Kevin T. Leeman
Metamora - Noelle R. Cole
Monroe - Kevin J. Holden
Montrose - Mark A. Emmendorfer
Mount Pleasant - Roger L. Lintemuth
Mt. Morris - Robert P. Emery
Mullett Lake - Alan J. Granger
Muskegon Heights - Ronald S. Jenkins

Nashville - Keith H. Jones
Negaunee - Christopher O. Sholander
New Baltimore - Mark W. Masters
North Muskegon - Michael J. Belmonte
Northville - Mark J. Parrinello

Oak Park - Mario Blocton
Oakland - Robert L. Zbytowski
Ontonagon - Jeffery M. Rule
Owosso - Brian L. Mendyk

Paw Paw - Alton J. Laupp
Paw Paw - Rick Jay Mitchell
Perrinton - Dan L. Sweet
Pontiac - John Cantu
Pontiac - Vance L. Hardiman
Portland - Adam J. Schrauben
Portland - Anthony J. Costello

Ravenna - Ted F. May
Remus - John S. Mayer
Rochester - Barbara Gemellaro
Rockford - Michael C. VanDyke
Rockford - John A. Woods
Roscommon - David E. Hansen
Royal Oak - Perry A. Brunetti

Saginaw - Patrick A. Campbell
Saginaw - Felipe Echeverria
Saginaw - Thomas A. Lewis
Saginaw - Daniel A. McIntyre
Saginaw - Barb A. Streeter
Saginaw - Jason R. Wildey
Sebewaing - Cheri L. Nitz
Sebewaing - Holly A. Roth-Guza
Sheridan - James Forton
South Lyon - Christopher R. Duprey
South Lyon - John C. Lindeman
Southfield - Eric V. Lee
St. Helen - Donald W. Clements
St. Johns - Chris H. Hyzer
St. Johns - Penny L. Keener
St. Joseph - Ronald L. Scudder
Stanton - Frank P. Marinello
Sturgis - Jean E. LaClair
Swartz Creek - Bill A. Dean
Swartz Creek - Dennis D. Simnitch
Swartz Creek - Derick R. Woodworth

Temperance - Kevin V. Brown
Three Rivers - Rebecca M. Neff
Three Rivers - Ed M. Smith
Traverse City - Dave R. Jones
Trenton - Eric J. Hoerle
Troy - Darrin Millar

Wakefield - Paul E. Harley
Warren - Roman R. Jablonski
Washington - Douglas H. Lutkenhoff Sr.
Waterford - Dwayne E. Little
Westland - Sharvon M. McNab
White Lake - David J. Schoenegge
White Lake - Keith M. Verellen
Williamston - Aaron L. Porter
Woodland - Kevin J. Duits

30-YEAR OFFICIALS

Adrian - Michael K. Stevenson Jr.
Allegan - Kevin Lawrence Gilligan
Allen Park - James C. Marker
Ann Arbor - Edward J. Mcconnell

Battle Creek - Cary P. Grant
Battle Creek - Roger L. Steele
Battle Creek - Chad D. Jackson
Bay City - Laurence E. Jacobs III
Belding - Francis Mason
Bellevue - Candice J. Whitney
Benton Harbor - Robert A. Edelberg Sr.
Benton Harbor - Larry Edwards
Bessemer - Sandra J. Muzzy
Beulah - Tammy A. Sedlar-Wing
Bridgman - Paul J. Pantaleo

Cadillac - Penny L. McDonald
Caledonia - David J. Driscoll
Cass City - David W. Hoard
Charlevoix - Dennis A. Phelps
Charlevoix - Randy K. Tarzwell
Clark Lake - Mike J. Jordon
Clinton Township - Robert M. Cichowski
Concord - Michael G. Ogden

Dansville - Charles H. Barrett
Detroit - Darlene J. Barber
Detroit - Kathleen S. Bridge
Detroit - Michael J. Dobson
Dowagiac - Randall G. Gross Sr.

East Jordan - Norman J. Vogt
Eastpointe - Jerry VandeVyver

Flat Rock - Theodore M. Wegienka
Flint - Michael D. Moreau
Freeland - Thomas E. Behmlander

Gaylord - David M. Becker
Grand Haven - Scott A. Vanderberg
Grand Rapids - Gene S. Debbaudt
Grand Rapids - Thomas M. Farley
Grand Rapids - Chris LaMange
Grand Rapids - Scott L. Smith
Grand Rapids - Mark D. Swets
Grosse Pointe Farms - Robert B. Conway

Hartford - Jason D. Meachum
Hastings - Stephen J. Laubaugh
Hillsdale - Scott E. Chase
Holland - Steven S. Bredeweg
Holland - William L. Lawton
Holland - Raymond G. Thomas Jr.
Holland - Mark A. Volkers
Holt - John D. Greathouse

Iron Mountain - Edward D. St. Arnauld
Iron River - Curtis J. Olexa

Jenison - Laurie A. DeWitt

Kalamazoo - Chris L. Grimes
Kaleva - Dixie L. Hoeh
Kalkaska - Diane L. Buttermore

Laurium - Matthew Vertin
Lincoln - Tim Paul Somers
Livonia - John P. Morris

Macomb - Douglas J. Rizzi
Mattawan - Michael W. Walters
Midland - John W. Day
Monroe - Douglas Boylan
Mount Pleasant - Brian J. Gould
Mount Pleasant - John Straight
Muskegon - Clinton A. Todd Jr.

Northville - Clinton C. Lawrence
Northville - Aaron M. Woodbury
Norton Shores - Jim P. Adrian

Ottawa Lake - Richard L. Deisler

Plainwell - Pete J. Boyd
Portage - Kevin L. Haun
Portland - Brian D. Russell

Redford - Anthony Johnson
Reed City - Earl G. Kage
Rock - Robert J. VanDamme
Rockford - Brooks McIntyre
Rogers City - Mary E. Fairbanks
Roscommon - Brian W. Reicks
Roseville - Glenn A. Jablonowski
Royal Oak - Raymond L. Smith

Saginaw - Cornelius Walker Jr.
Sault Ste. Marie - Murray J. Meehan
Shelby Township - John M. Rakowski
Southfield - Wallace L. Whitfield
St. Joseph - Kenneth R. Nolte
St. Joseph - Michael J. Petlick
Sterling Heights - Robert M. Iwasko
Stevensville - Howard L. Jackson
Swartz Creek - Richard E. Hunt

Warren - Steve C. Miller
Waterford - Michael Blom
Wayland - Robert J. Wolf
Webberville - Troy B. Perkins
West Branch - Douglas B. Grezeszak
White Lake - Charles E. Johnson Sr.
Wyandotte - Robert C. Wolsek
Wyoming - Carol L. Ross

Zeeland - Gretchen J. Galloway

40-YEAR OFFICIALS

Allen Park - James C. Bales

Battle Creek - David L. Eubank
Battle Creek - Edward B. Smith

Canton - Jeanne L. Martin
Canton - John O. Wright Jr.
Constantine - Marge Caid

Davison - Mitchell J. Olejniczak
Deerfield - William P. Gomoluch
Detroit - Robert W. Kirkland
DeWitt - Mark A. Robinson

Evart - Tom W. Adams

Flushing - Gerald Marenkewicz

Grand Blanc - Curtis L. Williams
Grand Rapids - Michael J. Duffy
Grand Rapids - Thomas D. Shearer
Grand Rapids - Jeffrey A. Wierzbicki
Grosse Pointe Park - Kelvin W. Wise
Grosse Pointe Shores - James L. Valliere

Holt - Lee Rodgers
Howell - Jim A. Murray

Ionia - Michael S. Antonides
Ionia - Mike A. Fuller
Iron Mountain - John N. Meyer

Kentwood - Rick S. Hazel

Lansing - Mark S. Ditsworth
Lapeer - Gordon L. Bade
Livonia - Brian R. Dinsmore
Ludington - John F. Shears

Madison Heights - Wilford J. Laveirge
Maple City - Joseph F. Dechow
Mayville - Clare L. Kreger
Muskegon - Onesiphorus B. Burrel Sr.
Muskegon - Melville B. Foster
Muskegon - Todd R. Geerlings

New Hudson - Dennis E. Evans
Norton Shores - Randall S. Martinus

Okemos - Michael J. Maisner

Plymouth - William R. Baumgart
Portage - Jerry A. Mais

Quincy - Robert C. Coward

Rogers City - Roger M. Wenzel
Roscommon - William A. Root

Smiths Creek - James D. Evans
Spring Lake - Robert L. Mol
Sterling Heights - Philip J. Lieblang

Traverse City - Dennis W. Hall
Troy - Jerald J. Sosnowski

West Branch - Matt Emerick
Wixom - Patrick L. Beagle

Zeeland - Linda S. Schmidt

45-YEAR OFFICIALS

Baraga - James L. Holm
Bloomfield Hills - Dennis F. King
Bloomfield Hills - W. Jack Morris
Bowling Green - Thomas L. Ford

Cadillac - William J. Allen
Caledonia - George B. Watterson
Clarkston - Dale A. Kutchey
Clinton Township - Dennis G. Clark

Essexville - William L. Post

Fairgrove - Jerry L. Lasceski
Flat Rock - Robert J. Brodie
Fort Gratiot - Julius A. Traub
Freeland - Kim D. Heisler

Gaylord - George-Tom T. Johnson
Gaylord - Kevin M. Leary
Gladstone - Wayne W. Marshall
Gladwin - Michael E. Steinkraus
Grand Rapids - Patricia A. Treman

Hancock - John D. Vaara
Hermansville - Robert J. Maule
Highland - Evan H. Lehto
Holland - Mary F. Colenbrander
Holland - Thomas J. Kruithoff
Holland - Barbara A. Shelley
Holland - David W. Smits

Iron Mountain - Jerry Reddinger

Jackson - Ardis Jill Conat

Kaleva - David K. Hoeh

Lansing - Karen L. Yanna
Livonia - Laura J. Alves

Manitou Beach - Allen L. Schuch
McMillan - Cliff J. Fossitt
Michigan Center - Daniel C. Bentschneider

Newberry - Thomas J. Rahilly
Northville - Edward K. Gabrys
Norton Shores - Duane A. VandenHeuvel

Oconto - Peter C. Pericolosi

Pontiac - Jerome C. Chaumley
Portage - Frank S. Gawkowski
Portage - Timothy J. Osterman
Posen - Kenneth Wozniak

Saginaw - John C. Flukes
Saginaw - John E. Oczepek
Sturgis - Raymond Martin
Swartz Creek - David J. Sutton

Three Rivers - Kim D. Losik
Traverse City - Michael J. Muldowney
Troy - James J. Stone

Wyoming - Sandra K. Noto

50-YEAR OFFICIALS

Battle Creek - Richard L. Randle
Bessemer - Henry E. Aapala

Caro - John H. Amend
Comstock Park - Riley S. Swinehart

Delton - Gregory W. Nikitas
Detroit - Richard L. Miller

Grand Rapids - James J. Aalderink
Grand Rapids - George H. Kniola

Holt - John S. Malatinsky
Howell - John S. Hardy

Jackson - Ozzie L. Hashley

Macomb - Chet W. Boss
Marcellus - Deborah L. Schug
Mesick - Paul G. Williams

Owosso - Paul A. Chaffee
Owosso - Edwin L. Rappuhn

Plymouth - Don A. Vogt
Prudenville - Robert J. Studer

Spring Lake - Joseph G. Popiel

Tecumseh - Nancy A. Hebert
Troy - Mike Luttenberger

Warren - Collette C. Hallberg
Warren - William Upina

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Previous recipients of the Norris Award

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 55 & 60-YEAR OFFICIALS

Previous recipients of the Norris Award:

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 55 & 60-YEAR OFFICIALS