Making - and Answering - the Call
September 28, 2012
By Rob Kaminski
benchmarks editor
“Life is a game with many rules but no referee. Small wonder, then, that so many play dirty, that so few win, that so many lose.” – Joseph Brodsky, Russian Poet and Essayist
To varying degrees, the world of athletics mirrors society. There are winners and losers. There are participants who look for ways to skirt the rules. However, in considering Mr. Brodsky's quotation above, there is one glaring difference between sports and life. Our games do have referees. Because of that, dirty play is less rampant and our games have more winners than losers, for the scoreboards only tell part of the story. There are lessons in winning and losing within the framework of enforced rules, lessons which equip young people with the tools to make society a little better in the future.
In life, the deck is stacked in favor of the players. According to one 2010 census, there were 1.8 police officers per 1,000 citizens in Michigan, a ratio which ranked 40th in the United States.
In contrast, during the 2011-12 school year, there were 37.2 registered MHSAA officials per 1,000 high school participants. Maybe, just maybe, that’s why school sports are at odds with Brodsky’s depiction of society; there are simply more cops on the beat.
At the very least, officials play a vital role in the existence of school sports. The games can’t go on without these men and women, and the MHSAA annually seeks improved recruitment and retention methods to promote growth of this group so integral to the health of its product.
They answer the call
So who are these people whose best work goes unnoticed; of whom perfection is the expectation; and who automatically alienate 50 percent of interested parties each time they make a decision? Who applies for this job? Why are some suited for the task, and others not? Asking why people leave the officiating life can often reveal just as many clues as talking to those who stay.
In 2004, the MHSAA conducted a survey targeting former officials to reveal their reasons for leaving the avocation and ask what might be done to bring them back.
The top three reasons people hung up their whistles or other tools of the trade were as follows: 1) career change/job demands; 2) poor sportsmanship by coaches and fans; 3) local association politics. Time spent away from family was also cited as a prime reason for leaving the games.
Eight years later, in a survey this August, the MHSAA again called upon former officials to generate data which can be helpful in recruiting new officials or luring back “retired” veterans.
Of more than 600 respondents at press time, the consensus of comments indicate a shift in culture. Career and personal demands no longer top the chart as reasons for leaving. Today’s barometer indicates that local association politics (the ability to receive games and advance through the ranks) and a lack of adequate training for new, younger, officials rank as the prime reasons for people exiting the game relatively early in their quest.
Sportsmanship concerns for the behavior of coaches, parents and participants still rates as the second-greatest deterrent.
“It is imperative to survey our constituents on a frequent basis so we can react to the various factors which prompt trends in the industry,” said Mark Uyl, MHSAA assistant director who oversees the state’s 12,000 registered officials. “I think we’ve successfully addressed some issues based on the findings from the 2004 survey, and we expect to analyze this year’s questionnaire at length to address the most pressing issues accordingly.”
The majority of the slips filling the suggestion box from the August survey: 1) provide increased training opportunities for new officials; 2) work with local associations to create more opportunities for new people to receive a greater number of games; 3) allow officials to rate schools and coaches, and develop programs for peer evaluation, rather than receiving ratings from coaches only.
The MHSAA has made strides in tackling each issue, and this year’s data will further focus its efforts to improve the officiating environment.
In recent years, the MHSAA has conducted officials camps in basketball and football (see stories on pages 14 and 33) and created an officials video training page on MHSAA.com.
While the officials ratings still come from the schools, local approved officials associations now submit candidates for MHSAA tournament assignments, and the nominations hold more weight with the MHSAA than ever before. As a result, local associations are better evaluating their members.
Additionally, officials can now access and submit a school sportsmanship feedback form to rate school facilities and coach, player and spectator behavior. Findings from this year’s survey indicate that officials would like a more detailed system, and a greater emphasis on sportsmanship education for coaches. To that end, the MHSAA offers one of the most comprehensive coaches education programs in the nation through its Coaches Advancement Program, and offers incentives to those who register for classes, many of which tout sportsmanship.
“We also encourage local associations to communicate with leagues and conferences outside the playing boundaries,” Uyl said. “Several associations invite coaches to a meeting or two each year for honest, face-to-face discussion. We’ve also been told of schools which invite a veteran official to parents meetings or team meetings prior to the season to help explain rules and their role in the games. Conversation in these settings serve our members well and assist in breaking down barriers.”
Key to growth and improvement of MHSAA sports officials are the efforts of local approved associations.
“There is no question that any successes we enjoy as a state association are directly related to the leadership of our local associations,” Uyl said. “Through programs like our train-the-trainers sessions each summer we can put the wheels in motion, but the real grass-roots education of our men and women happens in communities throughout the state. And, the people in place to carry out our officials education are second to none.”
Recruitment starts with family
If there’s anything you’ll take from this issue of benchmarks, it’s that there are no better recruiters, – no more qualified individuals to blare the trumpets – than officiating’s own family members. It’s a recurring theme repeated by numerous individuals.
Carl Van Heck, assigner for the West Michigan Umpires Association, said his association attempts to identify MHSAA-registered umpires in the area not currently members of the WMUA and invite them to join. His association also attracts a few individuals per year through an ad in the Grand Rapids Press. The real recruitment and retention begins once the rookies are in the association.
“Our executive board recently voted to install a mentoring program which will pair a veteran official to work a number of games with a new official to get him or her started on the right foot,” said Van Heck. “This is on a voluntary basis for both the veteran and the newcomer, and they are assigned these games in addition to their regular schedule.
“We also conduct an annual clinic on a Saturday at Grand Valley State University that is free to all of our members. We want the best-trained umpires both new and old to put on the field for the schools we work for.”
That’s the hook; making new officials feel comfortable while increasing their skill level and affording them ample opportunities to work.
While much of this responsibility falls to the local level, much is also expected of the MHSAA to assist in this process.
“The biggest obstacles young referees face in officiating high school soccer matches are legalistic rule changes, lack of expert feedback and lack of opportunity,” said Alex Smith, president of the Greater Lansing Area Soccer Referees Association. Smith opines that onfield issues in soccer are often met with the addition of a new rule, and in many instances there aren’t enough knowledgeable leaders to assist the younger soccer officials.
“For excited young or new referees looking to improve, there are few, if any, options for unbiased or expert feedback for them to consult,” Smith said, while adding that continued efforts between GLASRA and the MHSAA could soothe development issues.
“Certainly, in recent years GLASRA and others have given MHSAA credit for beginning to address these weaknesses. It's our hope that MHSAA continues to refine, streamline and improve its development and retention of new officials,” Smith said.
Uyl agrees, and welcomes input from all entities around the state.
“Some of the areas identified from GLASRA and other associations in other sports continue to be on the radar for improvement and change,” Uyl said. “Frank, honest and professional feedback is the only way we can keep moving forward in the right direction together with all of our officials.”
Onward and upward
At times, it seems, the biggest roadblock to officials advancement is officials themselves, resulting from a collision of two eras.
When it comes to younger officials proclaiming a lack of training opportunity and game assignments, how much of it is a reflection of societal change? Newer officials are raised in a world of instant gratification; from fast food, to satellite TV, to smart phones and the Internet, they are of the culture that gets anything it wants, when it wants.
Older officials, who tend to be the assigners, have an understanding of what it takes to work the highest levels of a sport. They know what they’ve been through to move up the ranks, and they know who they’ve moved up with. It becomes a matter of trusting the known, and being suspicious of the unknown. Yes, at times, the industry can be a “good ol’ boy network.”
The challenge is to make sure the new kids are aware of existing training opportunities and the investment necessary for advancement, while opening the veterans’ eyes to a pool of new talent and identifying those best suited to lead the neophytes.
“Again, I think this is an area that’s improving as we try to encourage our leaders around the state to take ownership in the development of our young officials,” Uyl said. “We constantly encourage our associations to nominate ‘new blood’ for our tournaments, and I think associations can take pride in turning out young people who are knowledgeable, physically fit and passionate about this business we’re in. It’s a people business, first and foremost, so it’s paramount that our own kind work together.”
As mentioned, the MHSAA began seeking greater input from approved associations for its tournament selection a few years back. While the coaches rating system still serves as one of the gauges, the ratings are not the be-all, end-all when it comes to assignments. Local associations need to take that lead.
“We promote our officials from the subvarsity level to the varsity level based on ratings, and there is a lack of ratings from our local schools for officials working on the subvarsity level,” Van Heck said. “We tend to lose officials who after the third year are not advancing due to lack of ratings.”
The WMUA’s new mentor program can serve to change the culture there. As more feedback is gathered from veteran officials working with the newcomers, less weight can be attached to coaches ratings which seldom arrive.
In any line of work, people want to be rewarded for their efforts, or, at the very least, appreciated by their peers. If it’s motivation, education and affirmation that young officials are seeking, there will be no better place to look than Grand Rapids next July. A day-long event tailored to high school officiating in Michigan takes place Saturday, July 27, preceding the 2013 National Sports Officials Association Summit. All registered MHSAA officials are encouraged to attend. Registration information will be posted to MHSAA.com later this fall.
Last call
Survey examines reasons for calling it quits
Following is a sampling of responses from former officials offering reasons for leaving the playing fields and arenas, along with suggestions for retention. Complete survey results can be found on the Officials page of MHSAA.com.
- “Maybe some further education for the coaches, who in turn can educate their parents, might help the process. We, as officials, don't question the play calls of the head coach publicly. Why should it be fair for the coach to question the calls of the official publicly?”
- “Find a way to schedule officials who want to work games. People want to work, but no one wants to schedule them. I often hear it is a lack of experience, but you can't get experience unless you work games.”
- “When a new member comes on board, have an experienced official contact him or her immediately about assignments. This will make his or her first game more comfortable. Officials are team players just like those who they will officiate.”
- “The time away from family, the cost and effort to stay certified, and the commitment to staying conditioned and prepared for the level of play unfortunately does not surpass the "lack of fun" that refereeing soccer has become. A solution seems unrealistic because of the scope of the problem – but it needs to start somewhere. Great idea to send this survey and begin the process of improvement.”
- “I was woefully unprepared and lacked the knowledge necessary to be an effective official. If it weren't for an optional clinic I took part in, I would have been a disaster. A lot of that is on me, but I can't believe I was let on the field by the MHSAA considering how little training and information I was provided. Rookie officials need more shadowing and more observation before being put into a game.”
- “I just wanted to officiate middle school sports and was very comfortable with this level. I quickly learned being part of a local association of officials and going through that hoopla was more of a pain. I got a couple games because I knew the middle school administration, but that was too short-lived.”
- “Legislate how much the assigners can charge young official to attend camps. I found that the amount of instruction was not commensurate with the charge. I don't have a major problem with assigners being compensated for their organizing and other things they might being doing. However, officials should not have to break even or operate at a loss when the assigners are padding their pockets.”
- “Improve education on how to prepare for unreasonable fans, coaches and parents. Also improve on the efforts of team’s comprehension of rules. Coach and fan behavior: I’ve officiated 25-30 minor league baseball games. We take more abuse at the high school level. It just got old.”
- “I believe coaches and athletic directors should introduce graduating seniors to local associations. This would get younger people involved.”
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.
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.
Clingman was to be honored with his Norris Award this month at the MHSAA’s 41st 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:
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
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