PROFILES

He’s Training the Next Generation of Officials

By Brandon Berg Chippewa (Wis.) Herald

Larry Norrell of Chippewa Falls, Wis., played football, basketball and baseball in high school. But once he went on to college, he knew his playing days were over. “I realized I wasn’t going to go professional, so why pretend you’re something you’re not?” he said.

But he still had a passion for sports and wanted to find a way to stay involved. So he took a class on refereeing and caught the bug.

Norrell, a retired biology teacher at Stanley-Boyd High School, first started refereeing football in 1969 and officiated basketball beginning in 1972. He officiated games at eight boys’ and girls’ state basketball tournaments before giving up basketball in 2002 as he found it harder to keep up with the players in a two-referee system.

“They beat me up the floor a couple times, and I said that’s enough,” Norrell said.

Fifty years — and lots of football and basketball games later — he’s working to ensure future games have officials.

With help from the athletic department at Stanley-Boyd High School, Norrell is mentoring and encouraging athletes to get involved in officiating.

“Larry has been a great benefit to our school,” said Nick Mahr, StanleyBoyd athletic director, who has known Norrell a long time. “Many people older than me have told me that he was their favorite teacher. I get to work with Larry now in my role as athletic director and dean of students. He cares about things being done well and continues to help with sports and substitute teaching. In all he does, he brings a smile and a patience second to none.”

“I kept up with (officiating) and I enjoyed working with the kids, and I’ve always enjoyed working with the kids,” Norrell said. “It’s kinda fun. You’re still in the classroom when you’re on the football field. Teaching is in my blood.”

Late last year, he participated in a meeting at which the possibility of a mentoring program for young officials was discussed. The longtime referee said he’d like to see a program established — be it at a city level or even a county level. He has already officiated alongside some younger officials and likes what he’s seen.

“The old (officials) are going out, and we need to replenish them or we’re not going to be having any football games or basketball games or baseball games,” Norrell said. “You’ve got to have referees out there to help out.”

Getting young people involved in officiating is just the start, Norrell said. Giving them proper training at the start will ensure they don’t just become warm bodies working games. The next wave will learn not just the rules and mechanics but all aspects of officiating.

“You’re not going to make the perfect call all the time, but you can stay in shape and stay with the game and make a couple dollars to defray your costs in college,” Norrell said. Reprinted with permission of the Chippewa (Wis.) Herald. *

After a distinguished five-decade career as an official, Larry Norrell is helping to organize training sessions he hopes will produce the next crop of officials. Active Advocate

Sophiyah Liu Taipei, Taiwan

Sophiyah Liu, Taiwan’s first female baseball umpire, was honored at the country’s Sports Elite Awards in December for her off-field efforts. Aside from publishing the Woman in Sports magazine, she has been raising funds to help female teenage athletes from underprivileged families obtain sports clothing.

Liu has given speeches on school campuses and in public advocating for gender equality. She hosted a workshop to teach adolescent and teenage athletes about the importance of maintaining physical boundaries and protecting themselves.

CONTRIBUTING SOURCE: TAIWAN NEWS

Historic Moment

Carmen Doramus-Kinley

Wichita, Kan.

Although she’s a veteran referee, Carmen Doramus-Kinley still enjoyed a career — and statewide — first last year.

Doramus-Kinley became the first female head referee in a varsity football game in Kansas history. She wore the white hat Oct. 14 when Wamego defeated Clearwater, 48-0.

Doramus-Kinley has officiated volleyball and basketball since 2011 and took up football four years ago. She also officiates small-college football in the area.

“I was very blessed last year to be hired full-time in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. We also work (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) games. I was the first female on the line of scrimmage to be hired,” she said.

Doramus-Kinley notes she did have a predecessor, however. She was not the first female to work a football game in the state. “Taylor Dar actually led the way for me,” Doramus-Kinley said.

CONTRIBUTING SOURCE: KSN.COM

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