Officials Honored for Service Milestones

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 25, 2020

The MHSAA annually honors high school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service at its Officials’ Awards & Alumni Banquet.

However, this spring’s banquet was canceled due to COVID-19. Instead, we present this virtual recognition for 322 officials who celebrated a milestone school year.

Twenty-three officials with 50 years of service are honored below, along with 55 officials with 45 years. A 40-year award has been presented to 55 officials. In addition, 108 officials with 30 years and 181 officials with 20 years of experience are honored.

What's My Why: Official Cindy Tyzo

June 8, 2026

Cindy Tyzo, West Bloomfield

Tyzo is one of what surely are only a handful of officials who have been registered for two MHSAA-sponsored sports since their first seasons as part of the championship lineup. She's is completing her 33rd year overall after first registering for the inaugural season of competitive cheer in 1993-94, and she also officiated the first season of MHSAA field hockey this past fall. 

Tyzo also just completed her eighth season officiating girls lacrosse. 

I love officiating because I love working with the young people and providing the opportunity for them to do the sport that they love. Because without officials, there's not game.

“What’s My Why” is a weekly feature telling the stories of MHSAA-registered officials in their own words. If you’re an MHSAA official and would like to share your reason why, please submit a 15 to 45-second video, taken horizontally, to director of officials Sam Davis at [email protected].

Don't miss Officiate Michigan Day 2026, July 25 in Grand Rapids! Check out MHSAA.com/OMD to register and learn more.

What's My Why

June 3: Jeff Spedoske, DeWitt - Watch
June 1:
Mike Carrier, Commerce Township - Watch
May 27:
Stan Wright, Warren - Watch
May 26:
Murray Rose, Zeeland - Watch
May 22:
Mike VanLaan, Alto - Watch
May 18:
Clint Abbott, Newaygo - Watch