(U.P.)Lifting Officials

By Joe Jarosz

Noone has taken in more basketball games at Manistique (Mich.) High School over the last few decades than Brian Ecclesine. In fact, the Upper Peninsula native has been in attendance for nearly 700 junior varsity and varsity contests at the local high school since 2004.

Suffering from cerebral palsy, Ecclesine was never able to play the game he loves so much, but that has never dampened his passion for being involved in the action.

or technical foul decals to fans based on their behavior throughout the contest.

Love of the game runs deep in Ecclesine’s family.

“We have continued to support high school basketball because it gives Brian a chance to be part of a wonderful group of local referees who treat him as part of the team,” Ecclesine’s mother, Joan, said.

Ecclesine is a regular attendee at the MHSAA basketball finals held each year at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University. The state office’s embrace of Ecclesine has been a heartwarming development for many.

“I get the annual opportunity to visit with Brian and his mom, Joan, at the MHSAA basketball finals,” said Mark Uyl, MHSAA executive director. “They make the trek down to East Lansing from the Upper Peninsula each year to watch the games, and most importantly, to support the referees. Brian’s love for officials and officiating is an inspiration to us all.”

Recently, Ecclesine was on the court putting his officiating skills into practice during the annual Special Olympics basketball tournament in Escanaba, Mich. The lessons he has learned over the years from officials in the Manistique area were on full display.

Hula Bowl ‘Herstory’

The first-ever allfemale college football officiating crew took the field for the Hula Bowl on Jan. 14. One of five annual college all-star invitational games, the event, which usually takes place in Hawaii, was relocated temporarily to Orlando, Fla., while Aloha Stadium undergoes renovations. Big Ten center judge and USFL/XFL umpire Amanda Sauer was assigned as referee for the game. Other officials included Sarah Fleming (umpire), Cat Conti (down judge), Henrietta Powell (line judge), Nicole Rudolph (field judge), Karina Tovar (side judge), Krystle Appellaniz (back judge) and Monique Washington (alternate).

While these all-star games are a good vehicle to showcase college players, they are also used to highlight officials. The NFL assigns the crew from its development pool of college officials. These games are used to evaluate select officials in the development program, which is the exclusive path to officiating in the NFL.

Idaho’s Dual Threat Shortages of officials and bad sportsmanship are two all-toocommon issues faced throughout the country. Now, the Idaho Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) is doing something about it.

Sitting courtside, directly across from the scorer’s table and dressed in his Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) basketball officials’ shirt, Ecclesine scores every game in his personal scorebook.

He greets the officiating crew before each game — well over 100 different individuals throughout the years — and manages to also keep a close eye on fan behavior. He issues good sportsmanship stickers

Ecclesine’s commitment to local officials is unwavering. It’s the kind of outlook that is needed in today’s society, especially at a time when bad sportsmanship is a theme across so many sports and levels throughout the country.

“Everyone needs to appreciate the dedication and commitment referees make so the games can go on,” Joan said.

Ecclesine’s enthusiasm for the craft is inspiring. His attitude says it all. “There is never a bad call in Manistique’s gymnasium,” he said. “Good sports are winners.”

Joe Jarosz is an assistant editor for Referee *

In a written memo, IYSA stated, “Effective immediately is a ZERO TOLERANCE policy regarding any inappropriate behavior toward referees. Until this behavior changes, any coach, parent or spectator at the field who berates a referee will risk a no-spectator suspension going forward. The team in question will not be allowed to have any spectators on the sideline for a given period. That could be for as long as the remainder of the season or the event they are participating in.”

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