The Official View: Title IX – Door Opens for Female Officials
By
Brent Rice
MHSAA Assistant Director
October 29, 2021
In the 50 years since Congress passed Title IX legislation in order to create equal educational opportunities, huge strides have been made for female students to participate in athletics.
But the advancement of opportunities wasn’t just for the athletes. It also opened a door which ushered in a generation of female sports officials.
Betty Near is one of those officials whose long and distinguished career as a high school and collegiate volleyball official is a direct result of the opportunities provided through Title IX. Unlike many today who entered officiating after having played the sport, Betty didn’t have those opportunities before first climbing the ladder (literally) in 1971. She was encouraged to take up the sport by Macia Tiesenga (a nationally-ranked collegiate official) who told Betty – who had been involved in athletics recreationally – that athletes make the best officials because of their understanding of competition.
“I’m frequently asked whether I got into officiating because I played volleyball. I tell them I didn’t play because girls volleyball didn’t exist when I was in school," Near said. "I try to share the story of Title IX every chance I get, to show them that they now have opportunities to both play and officiate because of those that came before them.”
Near has spent more than 45 years as a registered MHSAA official and is still going strong. That run has included six appearances as a Finals official. She recalls how at one of those Finals, an injury to her knee created a change in mechanics for the entire state.
“When I first began officiating in the 70s, the MHSAA had the umpires (R2s today) kneel underneath the net to look at blockers," she said. "This was quite dangerous and pretty ineffective.
"Officiating at the collegiate level, I had been trained to stand at the pole and look down the net. With this background, and seeing as my knee was still hurting from an earlier injury, I decided to use this mechanic.”
Sue Martin, the MHSAA director for volleyball at the time, approached Betty following her match. Near was certain that she was going to receive an earful. Instead, Martin asked the justification for using the mechanic, and they discussed the pros and cons of each. It was ultimately decided moving forward the umpire would take a position standing at the pole.
Mechanics changes aren’t the only effect Near has had on the sport. She was instrumental in the start of the West Michigan Volleyball Officials Association in 1984 and continues to help lead and grow that organization (now with more than 125 members). This has allowed her to work with the community, raising nearly $125,000 for scholarships for graduating high school seniors. And one of her biggest contributions remains her role in recruiting and mentoring new officials – especially helping to develop the next generation of female officials.
“Mentoring is a gratifying thing,” said Near, “especially when I receive emails or calls thanking me for helping them understand specific rules or situations and improving their skill sets. Watching someone I have mentored over 20 years work her way up to officiate multiple state tournaments (pleases me).”
Now officiating primarily at the college level, Betty still reserves Thursdays during the season to officiate MHSAA contests. She does this for the purpose of staying connected to high school students and officials and to build on the growth of female registered officials, though she also recognizes that challenges remain for female officials advancing through the system.
One of the natural barriers that apply to women more often than men is that women who begin families sometimes find difficulties continuing to officiate with their other responsibilities. While home lives can be difficult to navigate (for both women and men), officiating school sports provides a flexible alternative to stay active, remain involved in athletics, give back to the community, develop camaraderie and earn some extra cash.
Another hurdle that Near identifies for female officials, unfortunately, is a continuation of the “good ol' boy network.” She is reminded of a not-so-distant-past example when she and another female official had been selected to officiate the Regional round of the MHSAA Tournament; and even though both were well-established collegiate officials the host athletic director insisted that less-experienced male officials work as the R1 and R2 and the women work as line judges because the men would have better control of the tough matchup.
Of course, that kind of mindset isn’t based in fact, and many of the MHSAA’s best officials in all sports are women. Especially in girls sports, it is important that the student athletes see officials who represent them; but the MHSAA seeks female officials in all sports, including those dominated by male participants. This year will once again include a female officiating in the MHSAA Football Finals. Female officials also have worked Finals in baseball, boys basketball, ice hockey and wrestling.
The door that was opened for women and girls with the passing of Title IX a half-century ago only provides the opportunity. Capitalizing still requires stepping through the door to take full advantage of the opportunities provided. Near wants to encourage anyone to join the avocation of officiating, but especially young women.
“My hook is that the officiating is fun, and it is an activity that can be an avocation that can pay (in many ways) throughout their lifetimes," she said.
It’s Official!
Postseason Assignments: Officials assignments for fall sports tournaments have been released. Congratulations to all selected to officiate this year.
Speaking of tournament assignments, a change will be made this year that allows basketball officials to submit their availability to work together as a crew. Crews can be set for the boys and girls tournaments separately. The hope is that this will encourage more officials to seek postseason consideration, knowing they can choose with whom they will officiate. Eligible individuals not included with a crew will be assigned a crew by MHSAA staff.
For all winter sports officials, make sure to complete all requirements for postseason consideration. Please remember that officials in basketball, competitive cheer, gymnastics, ice hockey and wrestling must opt-in to the tournament by indicating their tournament availability dates HERE. All additional requirements such as completion of tournament exams and submission of regular-season schedule also remain in place.
Officials Review Committee: The Officials Review Committee, consisting of school administrators, officials and assigners from around the state, convened in early October to discuss issues and concerns involving officiating. A number of proposals were made to the MHSAA Representative Council. You can find these and other discussion items by reviewing the minutes HERE.
Know Your Rules
SOCCER A player (#7) is injured and must leave the field. His team elects to play short-handed. If #7 heals up, when can he return to the field? What if they wish to replace him with #12?
RULING If #7 comes back into the game, he only needs to wait until the next stoppage of play. If he will be replaced by #12 though, #12 can enter the game only at the next legal substitution opportunity.
It’s Your Call
REVIEW Last month’s play involved a suspect block by a defensive player (found here). The block by B17 is correctly flagged for an illegal block below the waist. While not widely known by spectators, blocks below the waist (except for linemen immediately at the snap) are illegal for players on both sides of the ball. In this case, since the block was by the defense, the penalty is enforced 15 yards from the end of the run.
VOLLEYBALL Officiating ball handling is the topic of this month’s "It’s Your Call." This rally ends following the pass of a back-row player. What’s the call?
Norris Honoree Adding to 60-Year Legacy
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 13, 2020
One of many who recommended Saginaw's Hugh Matson for this year's Vern L. Norris Award called him "an interscholastic icon" and what "high school athletics should be all about."
Already recognized prestigiously for his leadership as a coach and administrator, Matson made lasting impacts on Michigan high school sports serving those duties over a career stretching four decades.
And more than 20 years after retiring from that work, Matson’s contributions to school sports continue in another key role. He has been selected as this year’s honoree for the MHSAA's Norris Award as he celebrates his 50th school year as an MHSAA-registered contest official.
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.
Matson is the second honoree in MHSAA history to receive both the Norris and Charles E. Forsythe Award, the latter presented to Matson in 2015 for his overall contributions to interscholastic athletics. Matson joined Kalamazoo’s Blake Hagman, who received the Norris Award in 1998 and the Forsythe Award in 2000.
Matson was to be honored with his Norris Award this month at the MHSAA’s 41st Officials’ Awards & Alumni Banquet. However, the banquet was canceled due to safety concerns because of COVID-19, and he instead will be invited to accept his award formally at the 2021 banquet.
Matson first registered with the MHSAA to officiate track & field and cross country during the 1970-71 school year and has officiated combined more than 800 meets in those sports – including more than 20 Regionals and nearly 20 MHSAA Finals. He also has officiated cross country and track & field at the Division I, II and III and NAIA collegiate levels.
His career in education began when Matson took his first teaching job in 1957, at Mattawan. He then moved to Saginaw Township Community Schools, teaching and coaching at Saginaw MacArthur High School from 1962-71 and then Saginaw Eisenhower from 1971-88. Matson served as head varsity football and track & field coach at Mattawan and as head track & field coach at both MacArthur and Eisenhower, in addition to serving as an assistant football coach at both schools. He became the first and only athletic director in Eisenhower’s history – holding that position from the school’s first day during the 1970-71 school year until the end of the 1987-88 school year, when he became co-athletic director of the new Saginaw Heritage High School, which was created from a merger of MacArthur and Eisenhower. Matson served as the sole full-time athletic director of Heritage for 1996-97 before retiring.
“When I started, I knew wanted to be a coach; I didn’t know for sure if I wanted to be a teacher. But I found out teaching and coaching are really the same thing, and I enjoyed the teaching as much as the coaching. Then I found out that officiating is much the same,” Matson said. “I enjoy the kids. One of the things that warms my heart is when a kid will come up and say, ‘Thanks for officiating.’ Officiating is all just part of working with kids as I did as a coach and as I did as a teacher.”
Matson has been a member of the Association of Track Officials of Michigan (ATOM) since 1993 and received its 2009-10 Art Jevert/Bruce Jacobs Distinguished Service Award. He also received the Chuck Wheeker Volunteer of the Year Award from Saginaw Valley State University track & field in 2012 and the USA Track & Field (USATF) National Officials Committee Outstanding Service Award in 2014. He received designation as a Certified Master-level starter by USATF in 2000.
He has served as a volunteer track starter for SVSU and as a volunteer official for middle and high school meets as part of the Michigan Indoor Track Series, both since 1997.
While an athletic director, Matson was a member of the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA) from 1970-97 and served as its president during the 1989-90 school year. He was a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) from 1980-97 and served as a representative and speaker for the MIAAA at regional conferences in Iowa and Wisconsin and to the NIAAA Leadership Forum in 1987. Matson was named to the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
“The same attributes that made Hugh Matson a beloved teacher, coach and athletic director have made him beloved to the officiating community as well,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. “His selflessness and dedication continues to shine through in his mentorship of officials, as well as athletes and coaches, and his guidance and insights continue to benefit the track & field and cross country communities statewide.”
Coincidentally, Matson had crossed paths with both men whose awards he has received before beginning his career in education. Matson was a sophomore on the 1951 Newaygo boys basketball team that reached the Class D Semifinals and was greeted in East Lansing by Forsythe. And as a senior at Western Michigan University, Matson received advising from Norris, who was working in the placement office at the time. Matson then did his student teaching at Godwin Heights, Norris' alma mater.
Matson graduated from Newaygo in 1953, having earned 13 varsity letters over four sports – football, basketball, baseball and track. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education with minors in English and history in 1957 from WMU.
He taught English and history at Mattawan, and then English and physical education during his three tenures as part of Saginaw Township Community Schools. Matson remains an active member of First Congregational Church in Saginaw, having served as an usher for more than 50 years, as a board member and as part of a breakfast club serving local homeless.
He's been married to his wife Jackie for 59 years, and together they have two daughters.
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
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 55 officials with 45 years. A 40-year award is being presented to 55 officials. In addition, 108 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 - Michael D. Packard
Adrian - Keith J. Zubke
Allen Park - Julie A. Goodwin
Alpena - Ian K. Lundquist
Ann Arbor - Nancy E. Brucken
Auburn Hills - Frank Benion Jr.
Bath - Ruth J. Miehlke
Battle Creek - Jack McCulley
Battle Creek - Michael W. Smith
Battle Creek - Levi R. Watkins
Bay City - Jason R. Andrzejewski
Bay City - James J. Fitrakis
Bay City - Thomas L. Oleniacz
Bellevue - Stanley L. Guzy
Benton Harbor - Denny L. Edwards
Benzonia - James R. Sheets
Bessemer - Tony Gheller
Bessemer - Mark L. Movrich
Beulah - Jeffrey T. Bretzke
Beulah - Dennis J. Keeney
Birmingham - Patricia M. Hayes
Bloomfield Hills - Eric T. Seifert
Brighton - Jennifer J. Brown
Brighton - Jeffrey J. Houtteman
Cadillac - Kyle J. Hondorp
Caledonia - Timothy J. Restau
Canton - Makia D. Alexander
Canton - Gregory S. Santilli
Canton - Kevin W. Winningham
Cedarville - Charles G. Paquin Jr.
Charlotte - Eric C. Frohriep
Clinton Township - William R. Blickensdorf
Clio - Tim C. Ashbury
Clio - Gene VanAlst
Coleman - Jerry R. Evans
Commerce Township - Ronald J. Eberline
Crystal Falls - Jason W. Price
Daggett - Richard J. Dietz
Davisburg - Paul E. Knudson
Davison - Thomas M. Dowdall
Dearborn - Dave Deckert
Dearborn Heights - Gerald P. Boudreaux
Dearborn Heights - Bennie C. Roach
Detroit - Aaron F. McDaniel
Detroit - W. James Pierce
Dorr - James R. Graham
Dowagiac - Ronald A. Gunn
Eau Claire - Lance E. Green
Elsie - Nathan R. Taylor
Farmington - Timothy A. Fino
Farmington Hills - Katherine E. Williams
Fenton - Eric R. Golota
Fenton - Thomas C. Ureche Jr.
Flat Rock - Douglas R. Hill
Flint - Gregory T. Folsom
Flint - Arden P. Irwin
Flint - Floyd B. Williams
Flushing - Caron M. Sullivan
Fort Gratiot - Todd A. Kackman
Fowlerville - Robert G. Myers
Fremont - Paulette J. Moon
Gladwin - Art J. Adamec Jr.
Gowen - Patrick M. Cain
Grand Blanc - Jared R. Hoffmeyer
Grand Blanc - Scott C. Smith
Grand Haven - Daniel R. Holt
Grand Ledge - Marvin E. Hardy Jr.
Grand Rapids - Greg T. Adams
Grand Rapids - Burton J. Cook
Grand Rapids - Thomas C. Emery
Grand Rapids - James H. Fellinger
Grand Rapids - Bruce L. Hull
Grand Rapids - Richard G. Koperski
Grand Rapids - Scott A. Maternowski
Grand Rapids - Kelly A. Richardson
Grosse Pointe - Allan Diver
Hamilton - Douglas W. Braschler
Hanover - Donald M. Bergstrom
Harrison Township - David B. Jones
Haslett - David R. Miller
Holland - Brian E. Burtch
Holland - Walter C. Lamb
Hudsonville - Mike S. Bartosiewicz
Huntington Woods - Gary R. Schack
Iron Mountain - Ryan C. Gordon
Irons - Thomas R. Batista
Ironwood - Judy Cisewski
Ironwood - Ted E. Sim
Ishpeming - Adam J. Bergman
Jackson - Pete J. Ambs
Jackson - Eric L. Baldwin
Jackson - Larry E. Owens Jr.
Jenison - Mark E. Heagle
Kalamazoo - Karen L. Asch
Kalamazoo - John M. McBride
Kalamazoo - Larry A. Morrell
Laingsburg - David M. Barnhill
Lake Odessa - Phillip J. Whitcomb
Lansing - Elliotte Love
Lansing - Daniel W. Mausolf
Lansing - Calvin G. Sanders
Livonia - Michael C. Cushman
Livonia - Michael J. Smith
Livonia – Bill Williams
Ludington - James T. Nordlund
Luther - Robert L. Rose
Macomb - Daniel P. Westfall
Manistique - Mark A. Giannunzio
Manistique - Barbara A. Landis
Maple City - Lawrence R. Olsen
Marshall - Toby L. Crull
Mason - Philip S. Nardone
Mendon - Kenneth R. Blough
Mendon - Shawn D. Griffith
Michigan Center - George A. Wyers
Midland - Jill A. Bertuleit
Midland - Carl H. Smith
Monroe - Ronald P. Coury
Monroe - Paul N. Howey
Monroe - Tracy L. Yeary
Moran - Mitchell J. Perry
Muskegon - Bob Covert
Muskegon - Thomas J. Nichols Jr.
Negaunee - Michael F. Leanes
Negaunee - Jeffrey A. Marshall
New Baltimore - David A. Koch Sr.
North Muskegon - Gene A. Hyrns
Norton Shores - Kirk C. Antekeier
Okemos - Robert Ianni
Olivet - Dana S. Higgins
Owosso - Mike W. Valasek
Parma - Douglas D. Higelmire
Petoskey - Joseph R. Malec
Plymouth - Kara M. Burns
Plymouth - Jay D. Buelow
Pontiac - Troy F. Craft
Port Huron - Mitchell J. Nichols
Portage - Dustin J. Ruthven Sr.
Prescott - Gary A. Ragels
Riverview - Joseph S. Murnane
Rochester - Gary M. Cook
Rochester Hills - Peter D. Oudsema
Roseville - Wayne Cupp
Royal Oak - Michael F. Henahan Jr
Saginaw - Michael J. Fick
Saginaw - Charles F. Lydy
Saginaw - Clarence A. Thompson
Saline - Gary S. Quantock
Shepherd - Michelle E. Turpin
Sheridan - Randy A. Freed
Southfield - Quincey J. Price
St. Ignace - Doug J. Ingalls
St. Joseph - John K. Carr
Stanton - Thomas M. Wall
Stanwood - Doug VanSyckle
Sterling Heights - Ronald M. Camilletti
Sterling Heights - Jon Caran
Sterling Heights - Gratian P. Moldovan
Sterling Heights - Dean Ristovski
Sterling Heights - Tyrone Smith
Stevensville - Brandon D. Stacey
Sturgis - Kenneth A. Schau
Sylvania - Bruce E. Ralston
Taylor - Mark X. Rigotti
Tecumseh - Sarah S. Eubanks
Three Rivers - Tom L. Muckel
Traverse City - Bruce E. Falberg
Traverse City - Scott C. Jones
Traverse City - Kenneth J. Knudsen
Tustin - Jerry A. Nelson
Vicksburg - Neil E. Kreamalmeyer
Warren - Darrell Brown
Warren - Chad C. Davinich
Warren - Milissa A. Schell
Warren - Mark W. Sullwold
Williamsburg - Mark D. Stormzand
Wyandotte - Scott F. Neifert
Wyoming - Roger L. Bouma
Wyoming - Frits J. Hoekstra
Ypsilanti - Thomas D. Biggs
Ypsilanti - Richard J. Mull
30-YEAR OFFICIALS
Allen Park - Lisa S. Lee
Alma - Pamela J. Hanson-Bender
Alpena - Joseph M. Garant
Ann Arbor - Larry T. Kenyon
Bay City - Kevin J. Sinicki
Blissfield - Ronald A. Gentz
Brooklyn - Charles A. Janke
Brownstown Township - Joseph C. Barzo
Brownstown Township - Jim M. Joseph
Buchanan - Francis M. Brown
Byron - David A. Czerniakowski
Cadillac - Douglas E. McGiness
Cadillac - Kevin L. Taylor
Caledonia - David C. Dzierzyc
Carson City - Ted A. Kelly
Carson City - Arthur G. Kurtze III
Chesterfield - Douglas P. Stark
Clark Lake - John J. Jimenez
Clinton Township - Clifford S. Bliss
Coldwater - Brien S. Kelly
Coldwater - William M. Peiffer
Columbiaville - Donald W. Gordon
Dearborn Heights - David P. Mann
Delton - Katherine R. Dolfman
Detroit - Darren F. Ford
East Lansing - Douglas D. Ripley
Farmington Hills - Jack G. Light
Farwell - Patrick H. Uhrig
Fenton - Dan A. Reason
Flushing - Neil T. McCarthy
Fraser - Thomas A. Suminski
Freeland - Dennis J. Argyle
Gladstone - Jeffrey D. Diebolt
Grand Blanc - James M. Brigance
Grand Blanc - Michael E. Fair
Grand Blanc - David J. Griffel
Grand Rapids - Don L. Buchholz
Grand Rapids - Daryl S. Henderson
Grand Rapids - James F. Jakubowski
Grand Rapids - Scott W. Markham
Grayling - David K. Latusek
Hamilton - John A. Wood
Hart - Victor N. Salazar
Haslett - Lisa M. Bain
Highland Park - Melvin D. George
Holland - Christine E. Durham
Holland - Kevin E. VanderHulst
Iron Mountain - George D. Pond
Ithaca - Bradley D. Peet Sr.
Jackson - Shawn C. Spitler
Jenison - Steven C. Warber
Kalamazoo - Richard A. Hurdelbrink
Kalamazoo - Steven J. Nuyen
Kentwood - Christopher T. Maday
Kingsford - Mark E. Shanks
Laingsburg - Thomas A. Rourke
Lansing - Justin E. Terry
Lansing - Amy L. Willing
Leonard - Thomas F. Kmita
Lincoln - Brad D. Cole
Macomb - Thomas M. Heabeart
Macomb - Kyle J. Plutschuck
Marquette - Bruce A. Tiseo
Marysville - W. Randy Jacobs
Mesick - Paul W. Osborne
Midland - Oliver G. Myers
Monroe - David H. Gelwicks
Monroe - John C. Hilken
Mt. Morris - Robert F. Sunday
Muskegon - Theo R. Burrel
Muskegon - Timothy A. Cook
New Boston - Wayne C. Hamilton
Newport - Glen A. Scafidi
North Muskegon - Daniel L. Millhisler
Northville - Robert P. Juhasz
Olivet - Lonnie L. Spencer
Onsted - William M. Bayko
Onsted - Robert Wright
Ortonville - Franklin E. Olson
Owosso - Gary W. Barta
Port Sanilac - Dan Dean
Ray - Danny P. Kuskowski
Riverview - Benjamin Madero
Romulus - A. Terry Brinston
Royal Oak - Ronald G. Buchanan
Saginaw - Daniel L. Houston Sr.
Saginaw - Robert C. Kubczak
Saline - Kirk D. Spangler
Scottville - Stacey R. Swiatlowski
Shelby Township - Lawrence Gerbe
Shelby Township - Jeffrey P. Sandora
Sidney - James R. White
South Bend - David P. Sexton
Southfield - Anthony W. Johnson
St. Clair Shores - John W. Hartley Jr.
St. Joseph - Patrick J. Clark
Stalwart - Barbra A. Storey
Sumner - Jeff D. Rowley
Three Rivers - Bruce E. Mastny
Traverse City - James P. Barbera
Traverse City - Peter J. Garthe
Vassar - Matthew J. Cox
Vassar - Mark A. Schoenow
Washington Township - Peter J. Friedrich
Westland - Richard W. Kus
Westland - Thomas E. Mallon
Wixom - Lawrence W. Grant
Wyandotte - David A. Maloney
40-YEAR OFFICIALS
Bad Axe - Paul A. Binder
Berkley - Sheila M. Homic
Blissfield - Christopher L. Bates
Brimley - Jerald P. Cook
Calumet - Daniel W. Junttila
Champion - Gary P. O'Brien
Clarksville - Jim D. Johnson
Dearborn Heights - Kevin P. Kabacinski
Decatur - Patrick L. Boitnott
Delta - William H. Wiseman
Detroit - James E. Briggs
Dundee - Karl J. Schmidt
Farmington Hills - Mark J. Kronk
Ferndale - Bradford D. Skauge
Flint - James V. Newell
Fremont - James M. Goorhouse
Fruitport - George L. Frederick
Gaylord - Paul B. Holmes
Grand Blanc - Douglas W. Tipton
Grand Haven - Richard W. Lott
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
Kalamazoo - James L. Ketelaar
Lansing - Sam L. Davis
Lansing - Eric D. Wills
Lansing - Donald J. Yuvan
Ludington - David L. Wright
Madison Heights - Marie S. Bessler
Madison Heights - Richard Hillman
Manistee - David A. Nemecek
Marshall - David N. Benham
Marysville - Joel P. Venia
Mattawan - David W. Breithaupt
Muskegon - Charles M. VanDongen
Niles - Michael J. Nate
Okemos - John H. Garrison
Onsted - Kathi Frank
Pinckney - David D. Sontag
Redford - Gregory J. Smetek
Richland - Thomas D. Cox
Rockford - Timothy G. Erickson
Saginaw - Roberta A. Beyerlein
Scottville - Rodney D. Marshall
Temperance - Randall A. Sehl
Trenton - Frederick L. Bruley
Vicksburg - Timothy A. Baker
Waterford - Douglas E. Zimmerman
West Bloomfield - Benjamin R. Armstrong
Westland - Donna J. Strang
Zeeland - Marvin F. Hinga
45-YEAR OFFICIALS
Ann Arbor - Jack L. Coffey
Battle Creek - Kendall A. Lewis
Bay City - Thomas F. Cole
Berrien Springs - Timothy A. Krieger
Boyne City - Kirk D. Kujawski
Brighton - Bill T. Rubin
Brownstown Township - Joseph A. McCormick
Caledonia - Edward T. Hedgecock
Caledonia - Tom A. Hoffman
Canton - John A. Davidson
Caseville - Barry L. Zinger
Clark Lake - Robert L. McComb Jr.
Clarkston - Eugene R. English Jr.
Clarksville - David A. Mersman
Clawson - Betty A. Wroubel
Detroit - Lawrence D. Freeman
Detroit - Billy L. Waters
Dowagiac - William L. Brooks
Flushing - Edwin H. McKimmy
Grand Rapids - Robert G. Galvin
Grand Rapids - Dirk E. Pegman
Grand Rapids - Jeanne L. Skinner
Grayling - Thomas A. Kemp
Grosse Ile - James R. Knopp
Haslett - David E. Gillison
Hemlock - Rudy Godefroidt
Howell - L. Lee Piepho
Howell - Dennis M. Troshak
Ironwood - James K. Krznarich
Jackson - Michael C. French
Kent City - Robert J. Sarachman
Kentwood - Betty J. Near
Lansing - Ken J. Sudall
Manistee - Michael J. Gielczyk
Manton - Burton Harrison
Marysville - Mark A. Brochu
Mason - Victor T. Cena
Michigan Center - Charles D. Sprang
Muskegon - James A. Goorman
Negaunee - Steven R. Ayotte
Ontonagon - Eugene Fiszer
Pittsford - Chuck Pelham
Rogers City - Gerald Purgiel
Royal Oak - Carol A. Sheldon
Smiths Creek - Jud D. Kastner
Southfield - Thomas R. Sullivan Jr.
St. Clair Shores - Thomas L. Driscoll
St. Clair Shores - Fusako Hines
Taylor - Terry H. Styer
Tekonsha - Daniel A. Washburn
Trenton - Robert Bolak
Trenton - Evelyn Langlands
Vicksburg - Richard L. Simon
Whitmore Lake - Charles E. Lindsay
Wyandotte - Michael R. McMahon
50-YEAR OFFICIALS
Byron Center - Joe A. Zomerlei
Cheboygan - William B. Watkins
Clio - Anthony J. Leonardo
Custer - Edward C. Miller
Essexville - Donald A. Rose Sr.
Hudson - Michael A. McCullough
Ishpeming - David J. St. Onge
Kingsford - Joseph R. Reddinger
Lowell - Curtis J. Cummings
Monroe - Albert M. Fernandez
Muskegon - Larry T. Vaandering
New Baltimore - James C. Cleverley
Okemos - Tom Woiwode
Onsted - John M. Springer
Redford - Robert J. Williams
Royal Oak - Paul M. Engelberts
Saginaw - Hugh R. Matson
Sanford - Charles P. Russian
Shelby Township - Frank A. Talerico
Vassar - H. Dan Johnson
Walker - Dennis J. Rothenthaler
Waterford - Burton Hurshe
Wyoming - Daniel J. Schultz