Contact: John Johnson or Andy Frushour
517.332.5046 or [email protected]
EAST LANSING, Mich. – April 4 – Robert Williams of Redford, an accomplished three-sport official, mentor, trainer, and leader, who launched the Metro Detroit Officials Association and the Officials For Kids Program in the metro area, has been selected to receive the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Vern L. Norris Award for 2011. Williams (center) is shown below with MHSAA Executive Director Jack Roberts (left) and former director Vern Norris at the Annual Officials Banquet on April 30 in Lansing.
The Norris Award is presented annually to a veteran official who has been active in a local officials association, has mentored other officials, and has been involved in officials’ education. It is named for Vern L. Norris, who was executive director of the MHSAA from 1978-86, and well-respected by officials on the state and national levels.
Williams has been an registered MHSAA Official for 41 years, and has a combined total of 10 title games in basketball and football. He has also worked baseball for 20 years. For his contributions between the lines, working numerous Detroit Catholic High School League, Detroit Public School League and Operation Friendship contests between the two leagues, his leadership skills have created a positive environment for other officials to work in.
In his work with the Wonderland Officials Association and then the Metro Detroit Officials Association, Williams has made his mark in educating officials by spearheading the development of clinics in basketball and football. Of late, he has been the driving force in the Officials For Kids Program by starting a Referee’s For Reading project at Beaumont Hospital, the Children’s Miracle Network facility in Southeast Michigan.
Over time, Williams has mentored over 30 officials in three sports, including his own son. He has also served on many committees for different leagues, the MHSAA, the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, the National Association of Sports Officials and the National Federation of State High School Associations. He was inducted into the Catholic High School League’s Hall of Fame in 1986, and into the BCAM Hall of Honor in 2003.
“Bob Williams’ passion for officiating is evident in his own performance on the playing surface and his drive to make everyone else in this worthwhile avocation a better referee,” said Roberts. “His contributions set a standard for others to follow, and we’re delighted to honor our humble colleague with the Norris Award.”
Previous recipients of the Norris Award are:
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
High school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50-years of service will also be honored at the Officials’ Awards & Alumni Banquet on April 30 at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing.
Eleven officials with 50 or more years of service will be honored, along with 17 officials with 45 years. A 40-year award will be presented to 48 officials. In addition, 103 officials with 30 years, and 189 officials with 20 years, of experience, will be honored. With the induction of this year’s group of 368, the honor roll of officials who have aided young student-athletes grows to 8,292 since the inception of the banquet in 1980.
This year’s banquet will again feature brief multimedia presentations prior to the introduction of each group of recipients, with historical highlights from 1991, 1981, 1971, 1966 and 1961.
Tickets for the banquet are available to the public and are priced at $20.00. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Tickets can be ordered online from the Official’s page of the MHSAA Website, MHSAA.com.
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by over 1,600 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract approximately 1.6 million spectators each year.
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(MEDIA ADVISORY – A complete listing of officials to be honored, in alphabetical order by city, is included in this release. We hope you will recognize any individuals from your area who have contributed over the years to interscholastic athletics. Members of the media interested in attending the banquet may contact Faye Verellen at the MHSAA office for complimentary tickets.)
MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45 & 50-YEAR OFFICIALS
The officials on this list will receive their 20, 30, 40, 45 or 50-year service awards at the 32nd annual Officials’ Awards & Alumni Banquet at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing on April 30.
20-YEAR OFFICIALS
Adrian - Michael Stevenson Jr.
Allegan - Kevin Gilligan
Allegan - Alva Morgan
Allen Park - Ronald Runkle
Armada - Wayne Constance
Atlanta - Roger Steele
Attica - Bryan Smith
Auburn - Glenn Berner
Battle Creek - Darrell Billingslea
Battle Creek - Cary Grant
Battle Creek - Scott Millin
Battle Creek - Gerald Ouellette
Bay City - Daniel Brandel
Bay City - Laurence Jacobs III
Belding - Francis Mason
Belleville - Larry Brooks
Bellevue - Candice Whitney
Benton Harbor - Robert Edelberg Sr.
Benton Harbor - Larry Edwards
Benton Harbor - James OMalley
Berrien Springs - Thomas Siebenmark
Bessemer - Sandra Muzzy
Branch - Robert Doty
Bridgman - Kevin Carlson
Bronson - Ronald Hover
Brooklyn - Dennis Luppo Sr
Burt Lake - Glen McIntyre
Cadillac - Penny McDonald
Calumet - Bruce Coppo
Calumet - Matthew Vertin
Carson City - Gary Churchill
Cass City - David Hoard
Charlevoix - Dennis Phelps
Charlotte - Conrad Mox
Chesterfield - Joseph Krause
Clark Lake - Mike Jordon
Clarkston - Leo Flynn
Clawson - Bradley Orville
Clinton Township - Robert Cichowski
Clinton Township - David Klein
Clinton Township - James Krzezewski
Commerce Township - August LaRuffa
Dafter - Rudolph Hyvarinen Jr.
Dansville - Charles Barrett
Dearborn - Eddie Smith Jr.
Dearborn Heights - Marvin Purdy
Decatur - Ronald Shugars
Detroit - Darlene Barber
Detroit - Michael Dobson
Detroit - Alphonso Johnson
Detroit - Charles Johnson Sr.
Detroit - Willie McIntosh Jr
Dowagiac - Randall Gross Sr.
Dryden - Edward Spens
East Grand Rapids - David Driscoll
East Jordan - Norman Vogt
Eastpointe - Jerry VandeVyver
Eaton Rapids - John Greathouse
Eaton Rapids - Laura Jackson
Engadine - Sandra Ketcher
Flat Rock - Theodore Wegienka
Flint - James Jackson
Flint - Michael Moreau
Flint - James Reid rev.
Freeland - Thomas Behmlander
Grand Haven - Scott Vanderberg
Grand Rapids - Gene Debbaudt
Grand Rapids - Thomas Farley
Grand Rapids - Christopher LaMange
Grand Rapids - Scott Smith
Grand Rapids - Mark Swets
Grayling - William Dean
Grosse Pointe Farms - Robert Conway
Harrison Township - Glenn Jablonowski
Hartford - Jason Meachum
Hastings - Stephen Laubaugh
Hillsdale - Scott Chase
Holland - Steven Bredeweg
Holland - William Lawton
Holland - Raymond Thomas Jr.
Holland - Duane Tietze
Holland - Mark Volkers
Holt - Mary Guerriero
Ida - Jeffrey Kloster
Iron Mountain - Edward St Arnauld
Iron River - Curtis Olexa
Ironwood - Dave Coleman
Jackson - Paul McDonald
Jackson - Michael Ogden
Jenison - Laurie DeWitt
Jerome - James Clemet
Kalamazoo - Victor Ceru
Kalamazoo - Thomas Hampton
Kalamazoo - Larry Hulce
Kalamazoo - Theodore Kirk
Kaleva - Dixie Hoeh
Kalkaska - Diane Buttermore
Kalkaska - David Swanson
Kentwood - Douglas Evers
Kingsford - Stephen Marek
Kingsley - Melissa Newell
Lake Ann - Tammy Sedlar-Wing
Lake City - Richard Bradley
Lansing - Raymond Bowen
Lincoln - Timothy Somers
Livonia - John Morris
Lowell - Jay Babler
Lyons - Brian Russell
Macomb - Thomas Heabeart
Macomb - Douglas Rizzi
Macomb - Gordie Wilczynski
Mason - Mitchell Smith
Mattawan - Michael Walters
Menominee - Vince Burns
Menominee - Kimeen Scott
Midland - Thomas Bradley
Midland - John Day
Midland - Randy Tarzwell
Montague - Van Lawrence
Mt Pleasant - Brian Gould
Mt Pleasant - John Straight
Muskegon - Clinton Todd Jr.
New Haven - Len Rogan
New Troy - Paul Pantaleo
Northville - Clinton Lawrence
Oak Park - Sabah Kajy
Oscoda - Jerry Hayslip
Ottawa Lake - Richard Deisler
Ovid - Byron Townsend
Oxford - William Crouch
Parma - Douglas Harris
Petersburg - David Szenderski
Petoskey - Kimberly Mikula
Pigeon - Neal Emerick
Plainwell - Peter Boyd
Port Huron - Terry Coleman
Portage - Kevin Haun
Portage - Chad Jackson
Reed City - Earl Kage
Rochester Hills - Richard Buckmaster
Rock - Robert VanDamme
Rockford - Gretchen Galloway-Gavalis
Rockford - Brooks McIntyre
Roscommon - Brian Reicks
Roseville - Katherine Hillock
Royal Oak - John Brilla
Royal Oak - Raymond Smith
Royal Oak - Aaron Woodbury
Saginaw - Jerry Aniszczyk
Saginaw - Bobby Beal
Saginaw - John Nowosatka
Saginaw - Cornelius Walker Jr
Sault Ste Marie - Murray Meehan
Sebewaing - Candra Kurzer
Shelby - Kevin Klein
Snover - Alexander Graham
South Lyon - Joe Dixon
Southfield - Wallace Whitfield
St Clair Shores - John Archibald
St Ignace - Christopher Marshall
St Ignace - Scott Winkelman
St Joseph - Clete Brummel
St Joseph - David Clark
St Joseph - Russell Eftink
St Joseph - Kenneth Nolte
St Joseph - Michael Petlick
St.Claire Shores - John Twomey
Stanton - Charles Patmore
Sterling Heights - George Braund
Sterling Heights - Robert Iwasko
Sterling Heights - John Rakowski
Stevensville - Howard Jackson
Swartz Creek - Richard Hunt
Sylvania - Alan Arvay
Taylor - James Marker
Toledo - Thomas Stahl
Trenton - Ken Nowaske
Trenton - Robert Wolsek
Troy - Veli Veliu
Walled Lake - Todd Zebkar
Warren - Steve Miller
Warren - Calvin Stewart
Webberville - Troy Perkins
Westland - William Hoffman
Whitehall - James Cardon
Whittaker - Jack Huling
Wyoming - Carol Ross
Wyoming - Robert Wolf
Ypsilanti - Melvin Baskin
30 YEAR OFFICIALS
Adrian - Thomas Blanton
Adrian - Vincent Lysaght Jr.
Allen Park - James Bales
Auburn Hills - Frank Ruzicka
Battle Creek - David Eubank
Bay City - Allen Laskowski
Belmont - Steven Lewis
Big Rapids - Tom Adams
Boyne City - Jeffery Grice
Caledonia - Tom Radlinski
Canton - Jeanne Martin
Canton - John Wright Jr.
Cheboygan - Harold Koviak
Clawson - Frederick Wirth
Commerce Township - Mark Reid
Constantine - Marge Caid
Crystal Falls - Lyle Smithson Jr.
Dearborn - Scott Neusel
Dearborn - Edmund Wayne
Deerfield - Terrence Beurer
Deerfield - William Gomoluch
DeWitt - William Bupp
DeWitt - Robert Mol
DeWitt - Mark Robinson
Elkhart - Roger Moore
Fairview - Oland Kauffman
Farmington - Robert Kirkland
Fenton - Gregory Rodgers
Flint - Artel Horton Sr
Fountain - Jon Raatz
Frankenmuth - Donald Chase
Grand Blanc - Daniel Boilore
Grand Blanc - Curtis Williams
Grand Rapids - Michael Duffy
Grand Rapids - Jeffrey Wierzbicki
Grandville - Ted Iciek
Grant - Alexander McKinley II
Grosse Pointe - Michael Peltz
Harbor Springs - Randall Bingham
Harrison - JC Colville
Haslett - Ronald Applegate
Hazel Park - Donald Dittenber
Holt - Lee Rodgers
Howell - Jim Murray
Inkster - B.J. Baldwin
Ionia - Mike Fuller
Iron Mountain - John Meyer
Ishpeming - Gregory Hintsala
Kalamazoo - Bryan Stapert
Kentwood - Rick Hazel
Kentwood - Christopher Pelletier
Lapeer - Gordon Bade
Lapeer - Dale Benish
Lexington - Edmond Carleton
Livonia - Brian Dinsmore
Ludington - John Shears
Madison Heights - Wilford Laveirge
Mancelona - Gary Bowen
Maple City - Joseph Dechow
Marenisco - John Zorich
Mayville - Clare Kreger
Mt Pleasant - Joseph Pius
Muskegon - Onesiphorus Burrel
Muskegon - Todd Geerlings
Muskegon - Randall Martinus
New Baltimore - Douglas Corrin
New Buffalo - Bruce Nowak
New Hudson - Douglas Curry
New Hudson - Dennis Evans
Niles - Larry Hickman
Okemos - Michael Maisner
Ontonagon - Richard Franti
Orleans - Michael Antonides
Otsego - Neil Browne
Owosso - Thomas Shearer
Paw Paw - Craig Hess
Plymouth - William Baumgart
Port Huron - Roger Vargo
Portage - Jerry Mais
Quincy - Robert Coward
Rogers City - Roger Wenzel
Roscommon - William Root
Royal Oak - Larry Birkett
Ruth - Kathi Jahn
Saginaw - Dennis Hall
Saginaw - Stephen Kelley
Saginaw - Philip Raymond
Smiths Creek - James Evans
South Lyon - David Askew
St Helen - Matt Emerick
Sterling Heights - Philip Lieblang
Swartz Creek - Gerald Marenkewicz
Temperance - Michael Miller
Three Rivers - Kevin Sullivan
Toledo - William Lang
Trenton - James Bryan
Trenton - Robert Kloss
Troy - Jerald Sosnowski
Weidman - Eric Gronda
West Bloomfield - Kelvin Wise
Wixom - Patrick Beagle
Woodhaven - James Pritula
Zeeland - Linda Schmidt
40 YEAR OFFICIALS
Battle Creek - Richard Randle
Bay City - Michael Lutenske
Big Rapids - Herman McConnell
Brooklyn - Ozzie Hashley
Canton - Thomas Sherman
Caro - John Amend
Comstock Park - Riley Swinehart
Detroit - Richard Miller
Detroit - Otis Sanders
Escanaba - Thomas Smith
Gladwin - Robert Studer
Gowen - Edward Ripmaster
Grand Rapids - George Kniola
Grand Rapids - Frank Waskelis
Greenville - Harold Deines
Harbor Springs - Lee Milner
Hart - Harvey Weaver
Hartford - Michael Wojciechowski II
Hastings - Donald Bowers
Holt - John Malatinsky
Ithaca - John Raducha
Lansing - Thomas Truscott
Macomb - Chet Boss
Mancelona - Linden Bielecki
Manistee - Roy Swiatlowski
Marcellus - Deborah Schug
Marquette - Francis L Huillier
Mesick - Paul Williams
Monroe - David Spicer
Mt Pleasant - Roger Gilbert
Onondaga - Edward Alexander
Owosso - Paul Chaffee
Petoskey - Cal Rohrback
Plymouth - Don Vogt
Portage - James Shunneson
Richland - Gregory Nikitas
Rochester Hills - Mike Luttenberger
Rockford - Laurence Brooks
Royal Oak - Thomas Hoff
Saginaw - Chan Flores
Scottville - O'Neil Newkirk Jr.
Shelby Township - Donald Koleber
St Joseph - N Tom Shiveley
Stanwood - Dwight Hollister
Swartz Creek - Gary Marsh
Wakefield - Henry Aapala
Warren - Collette Hallberg
Warren - William Upina
45-YEAR OFFICIALS
Benton Harbor - Andrew Saetre
Brimley - Milton Sutton
Canton - Ronald Bak
Charlotte - Ronald Schultheiss
Dearborn Heights - Thomas Waligorski
Frankfort - Thomas Bishop
Highland – Robert Parks
Honor – Will Lynch
Hudsonville - Edward Mosley Jr.
Oak Park - Russell Koppitz
Orion - Garry Reynolds Sr.
Pewamo – William Heckman
Plymouth - Joe Kavulich
Portage - Ruth Meyer
Portage - Jerry Spade
Trenton - David Henegar
Warren - Martin Petrill Sr
50-YEAR OFFICIALS
Ann Arbor - Paul Helber
Canadian Lakes - James Bradley
Grand Haven - Kent DeYoung
Grandville - Mike VanderVelde
Kalamazoo - Blake Hagman
Lansing - Wally Dobler
Marine City - Robert Beattie
Owosso - Jack Rappuhn
Rockford - Lyle Berry
St Ignace - Eugene Massey
Swartz Creek - Gene Lyons