Wozniak 'Crew' Serves Together in Stripes
May 1, 2019
By Tim Miller
Mio teacher, former coach and graduate
If you were to attend a high school basketball game in northeast Michigan, or watch the local sports highlights from the evening on TV, you might see a member of the Wozniak family running up and down the basketball court.
You won’t see them dribbling the ball, or pulling up for a jump shot. The pressure to get a rebound, or to play defense, is no longer part of the game plan for them. The red jersey they once wore so proudly in high school has been replaced by a black and white uniform that’s worn only by referees.
Take a drive north on M-65 and you will eventually reach the home of the famous Potato Festival, located in Posen, Michigan. Don’t expect to see a McDonald’s, Subway, or even a stoplight when you arrive. The town consists of a few small businesses, managed by a group of people who take pride in calling Posen their home.
One such family is Stanley and Virginia Wozniak, who just finished celebrating 68 years of marriage. During this time, they became the proud parents of Chuck, Ken, Cheryl, Frank, Donna, Mary Ellen, Michelle, and Linda.
Although I’ve never met Mr. and Mrs. Wozniak, it’s obvious to me, and anyone who knows their children, that they instilled some very important life lessons in them while raising them. One such lesson was getting involved. At one time Stanley was an official, so I guess it’s no surprise to see his children follow in his footsteps.
Living in northern Michigan during the winter can be brutal. Frigid temperatures and a large accumulation of snow can make it challenging. The key to surviving these long hard winters is staying busy. One such way is to attend a high school sporting event, and like so many people throughout the area, I watch as many games as I can.
Whether I’m attending a home game, or traveling out of town to an away game, it’s not uncommon to walk into a high school gym and see the Wozniak officiating crew from Posen standing courtside, patiently waiting to start the game.
What’s been striking to me over the years is to see them working as a unit, game after game. Rarely have I seen one of them working on another crew. Another lesson learned from home: family staying together. Years of experience has allowed them to officiate a regular-season game or much-anticipated playoff game with confidence.
When the game begins, I like sitting by myself. I look for the little things that players do or don’t do. I also watch the officials and compare my observations with their calls. Having watched them for many years in a variety of games, I’ve been impressed with their ability to call a game, regardless of whether it’s two teams battling to stay out of last place or a championship game packed full of screaming fans. Their passion for the game and commitment to getting it right has earned the respect of coaches, players and fans throughout northern Michigan.
They would be the first to admit they’ve made a mistake or missed a call here and there. Another lesson learned from home: be honest and stay humble. There have been games where the fans, players and coaches have disagreed with them, and a variety of facial expressions and comments have been made. It doesn’t stop them; they just keep moving forward.
They know this type of behavior comes with the territory, even though it’s the reason why so many officials have decided to quit. Another lesson learned from home: don’t give up.
The same drive that earned Donna and Mary Ellen both Female Athlete of the Year at Posen Consolidated Schools – in 1978 and 1981, respectively – fuels them on the court. While attending a girls junior high game, I witnessed Donna put an end to a loud-mouth fan. She calmly stopped the game, walked over to him, looked him square in the eyes and said, “Are you done?”
To which he replied “yes.” After speaking with him and making her point, she continued to officiate the game all by herself. For some reason, she was the only official for the game. She didn’t complain or make excuses; she simply made the best of the situation in front of her. Another lesson learned at home: don’t complain and do your best.
I’ve also seen Mary Ellen straighten out a few coaches and players during her career. Like her sister Donna, she’s not afraid to put an end to poor sportsmanship during the game.
Being an official isn’t easy. They’re constantly under scrutiny and harassment by unruly fans, coaches and players. The sacrifices they make to officiate a game often go unnoticed or are rarely even discussed. I wonder how many dinners they’ve missed with their families.
The technology used at the games has changed over time. From the Kodak camera, to the 35 millimeter, to the camcorder. And now the popular cell phone, perhaps the best and worst device ever created. Now anyone can snap a picture or record a video of an official. Spend a few minutes adding disrespectful comments, and post it online. Even through this evolution of tasteless unwarranted behavior, the Wozniaks keep rolling on.
Like all officials, they don’t do it for the money! What little they make can’t possibly offset the cost of maintaining their vehicles, gas, tires and worn out parts along the way. They do it because they love and respect the game. As spectators, we often place the blame on officials when we lose. However, I’ve never heard anyone say we won because of the officials. In my 40-plus years of watching sports, I have never seen an official miss a free throw or turn the ball over during the game, nor have I seen an official play sloppy defense. I’ve never seen them get out-coached or out-hustled by the opposing team.
We also have a tendency to undervalue the officials. Instead, we put our focus on the coaches, players and the games. That all changes in a split second when we think a foul should be called. Then, all eyes are fixed on the official, and immediate results are expected. The official is expected to see everything, which is an unrealistic expectation.
As officials, the Wozniaks do an outstanding job. Running up and down the court with a whistle in your mouth can’t be easy. I wonder how many of us could do that. I can only imagine how many inadvertent calls would be made as we tried keeping up with the players. Trying to spot every rule infraction is impossible, and yet, they keep striving to do their best. They’re not perfect, nor would you ever hear one of them claim to be. However, they’re doing something that the majority of fans, coaches and players would never even consider! They’re willing to put that official’s uniform on and have the courage, determination and commitment to doing the best job they can.
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know them. They have the ability to look past those negatives. They choose to remember the big games, the respectful players, the quality coaches, the new friendships they made, and most important of all, spend time on the court with one another.
Here are some of their amazing accomplishments:
• Chuck has been an official for 46 years. During this time, he has officiated multiple playoff games for girls and boys basketball, including MHSAA Semifinal and Final games. He was the track coach at Posen Consolidated Schools for 38 years and is currently a member of the Posen Fire Department.
• Ken has been an official for 43 years. He has officiated multiple playoff games for girls and boys basketball as well, including Semifinal and Final games. He currently serves on the Posen Consolidated School Board and has for the last 19 years – 17 as school board president.
• Frank has been an official for 42 years and has been selected to work a Basketball Semifinal. He coached junior varsity boys basketball for four years and umpired youth softball and basketball for many more. He was also the director of the local softball tournaments in Posen for 13 years.
• Donna has been an official for 41 years, working multiple playoff games for girls and boys basketball including Semifinals and Finals – including a boys Semifinal. She may be one of the most respected officials in Michigan, at any level! She coached softball at Posen Consolidated Schools and coached youth softball and basketball in the community for many years.
• Mary Ellen has been an official for 34 years and was selected to officiate a Girls Basketball Semifinal. She coached the varsity girls basketball team at Posen Consolidated Schools for nine years. She is currently an assistant coach for the Alpena Community College softball team.
• Linda officiated volleyball for 13 years. She volunteers at a variety of youth events throughout the community. She runs the scoreboard at athletic events, along with keeping the books. She is currently the class advisor for the graduating class of 2019 at Posen Consolidated Schools. She’s also involved in the chamber of commerce, where she served as treasurer for eight years.
• Although Cheryl doesn’t officiate, she’s involved in her community in many ways. She volunteers her time in the sports booster program and the little league programs. She was the secretary of the sports boosters for 15 years and selected as its “Volunteer of the Year.” She’s a strong supporter of promoting youth sports in her community.
• Michelle is also a strong supporter of youth programs in Posen and Alpena. She was selected as Female Athlete of the Year at Posen Consolidated Schools in 1983 and was appointed by former Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the Michigan Public Health Advisory Council. Like the rest of her siblings, she continues to stay involved in her community and volunteers in a variety of ways.
Aside from high school basketball games, the Wozniaks also have officiated other sports such as volleyball, track, and softball, and basketball at the college level.
I’m not sure how many more years the Wozniaks will continue to officiate. Hopefully for the coaches, players and fans, they’ll continue until they can’t run up and down the court anymore.
I can’t imagine how many whistles they’ve went through, or how many shoes they’ve bought along the way. The miles they’ve put on their vehicles, or the worn out tires they’ve replaced. The time they’ve missed with their families, or the TV shows they couldn’t watch. The quick meals eaten on the road, or the leftovers waiting at home.
Jonathan Lockwood Huie once said, “The path to your own happiness is usually found in service.” With all those years of officiating games and volunteering in their community, the Wozniaks understand the value of service. My guess is they’ve never heard of Johnathan Lockwood Huie, but his quote is deeply embedded in their DNA. They learned it from their parents; it’s the Wozniak way. Get involved, stay close to family and cherish your time together.
It’s the same formula that Stanley and Virginia used to spend 68 years together in marriage. So, Mr. and Mrs. Wozniak, thanks for teaching your children all those life lessons. To their spouses and families, thanks for sharing them. To the Wozniak crew, thanks for all the years you’ve dedicated to high school sports!
I can only imagine what they’ve seen and experienced during this time span. My guess is they could write a book filled with memories. The long drives, the late nights, the fall colors, the cornfields, the pumpkin patches, the icy roads, the snowstorms, the road construction, the price of gas, the vehicle mishaps, the missed deer, the big bucks, the coaches both good and bad, the great players and the not-so-great, the big games, the ejections, the technicals, the broken scoreboards, the athletic directors, the uniform styles, those ugly tube socks, the hairstyles, the rule changes, the news clips, the gyms, the good fans and the bad ones, the songs on the radio, the tickets, those aching body parts, who drove the most, who napped the most and the friendships made along the way.
Finding a family like the Wozniaks is rare. Becoming an official is one thing; doing it for 30 to 40 years is remarkable. What an impressive run – what a commitment to high school sports. So many games, so many stories, a lifetime of memories in the gym, on the track, at the softball field and in the car.
Eventually, the time will come when they decide to hang up their whistles for good. After it happens, I can picture them all sitting around the table on a cold winter night, drinking a cup of hot coffee, reflecting on their careers and all those games, all those memories, all those years, the stories, the laughs, and the time spent together as a family.
PHOTOS provided by Tim Miller.
Championship Official, Longtime Mentor Walters Named 2023 Norris Honoree
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 30, 2023
From volunteering to umpire slowpitch softball to officiating at last season’s 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field, Jackson’s Chuck D. Walters has enjoyed every step of the climb over 44 years as a Michigan High School Athletic Association-registered official.
As a revered and beloved trainer, mentor and recruiter of officials, he’s also dedicated decades to providing opportunities to the next generations of officials in his community.
For especially his work in nurturing others in the avocation, Walters has been selected as this year’s MHSAA Vern L. Norris Award honoree.
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.
Walters has registered to officiate MHSAA football again this fall, which will begin his 45th year of refereeing or umpiring school sports. He’s a member of the Jackson Area Officials Association, Kalamazoo Officials Association and Southeast Michigan Sports Officials organization, and he has served as a football and baseball trainer in the JAOA while also working more than 100 MHSAA postseason games in those sports including six football and two baseball Finals.
“Chuck Walters is one of the best people I’ve known through officiating. He’s been a leader and mentor for hundreds of officials in the Jackson area over many years,” said MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl, who also is a longtime football and baseball official at the high school and college levels. “Chuck is the epitome of what the Vern Norris Award is meant to honor.”
Walters was a three-sport athlete at East Jackson High School – playing football, basketball and baseball – and upon graduating in 1965 took a job with Chrysler at its Proving Grounds in Chelsea. While later coaching his son Chuck in youth baseball, Walters put on a slowpitch softball tournament to benefit the local Little League association – and umpired the bases at those games to help save money so more could go to the organization.
From there, he began filling a need locally for youth umpires. Relationships built in baseball turned into working subvaristy football. After his son graduated from Napoleon, Walters’ Friday nights opened up and he filled that personal sports void by beginning a long and successful career in varsity football as well. He first registered for two years at the start of the 1970s, and returned to register without pause beginning with the 1981-82 school year.
In addition to working youth and high school athletes, Walters has umpired college baseball primarily at the Division II, III and NAIA levels but also in the Big Ten Conference and Mid-American Conference. He also served 35 years as the volunteer clock operator at Napoleon High School basketball games – his current football crew includes multiple former Napoleon athletes or coaches.
Among recommendations for this Norris Award came a letter from his entire crew and another noting Walters continues to mentor 14 current officials while always seeking to introduce opportunities to others.
“I used to go to a lot of college football meetings just to stay current, and they’d talk about this and that and my head would be spinning forever,” Walters said. “We have four new officials in our area starting football this fall, and I know their heads will be spinning when we talk about this and that. My focus will be to get those new officials’ feet on the ground, get them (progressing) step by step by step. Once they get that passion to officiate whatever sport it might be, they just take off.”
Walters received the Al Cotton Award in 2013 from the Jackson Citizen Patriot for his contributions to Jackson-area sports, and was named to the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) Hall of Fame in 2021 as a “friend of basketball” for his hundreds of games operating the clock.
Walters and his high school sweetheart Judy have been married 57 years, and they have adult children Stacy and Chuck. Walters retired from Chrysler after 32 years and has a car restoration business.
Previous recipients
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 Par
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
2020 – Hugh Matson, Saginaw
2021 – Lewis Clingman, Grand Rapids
2022 – Pat Hayes, Birmingham
MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
20, 30, 40, 45 & 50-YEAR OFFICIALS
The officials on this list are receiving their 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50-year service awards.
20-YEAR OFFICIALS
Allegan – Joseph Munn
Allen Park – James Murdoch
Ann Arbor – Shawna Lorch
Bad Axe – Gary Krause
Bannister – Clyde English
Baraga – Scott Koski
Battle Creek – Lonzo Warren
Bay City – Jason Ruple
Bay City – David Szczypka
Belleville – Michael McCormick
Big Rapids – Marty Shaffer
Blissfield – Steven Babbitt
Bloomfield Township – Richard Dylewski
Bloomfield Village – Maynard Timm
Bridgman – Shane Peters
Brimley – George Jones
Bronson – Brian Case
Bronson – Kevin Gardner
Brownstown Township – Charles Monette
Byron Center – Michael Jager
Cadillac – Demetrio Rojas-Cruz
Chassell – Robert Fay
Chassell – Shana Ruotsala
Chesterfield – Paul McBride
Clarkston – Jamie Rykse
Clarksville – Michael Burgess
Clinton Township – Mark Carney
Clinton Township – Keith Justice
Clinton Township – Brad Thomas
Commerce Township – Robert Foss
Constantine – Jerry Burgess
Cottrellville – Grant Harris
Dearborn Heights – Abasi Sanders
Detroit – Cozette Ealy
Detroit – Cedric Green
Detroit – Delonda Little
Detroit – William Pugh
DeWitt – Mark Kellogg
DeWitt – Adam Miller
Dorr – Dan Heasley
East Lansing – Eric McGaugh
Farmington hills – Kevin Cleveland
Fenton – Paula McAllister
Flint – Rozier Looney
Frankenmuth – Matthew Krause
Freeland – Nick Horn
Fremont – Kevin Holmberg
Gaylord – Michael Switalski
Gobles – Randy Hood
Grand Blanc – Josh Dean
Grand Blanc – Anthony Klinck
Grand Blanc – David Clement
Grand Ledge – Brian Gorman
Grand Rapids – Marc Davis
Grand Rapids – Timothy Gildner
Grand Rapids – Lloyd Kilgore
Grand Rapids – Fritz Owen
Grand Rapids – Debra Rambow
Grand Rapids – James Stokes
Grand Rapids – Michael Underwood
Grand Rapids – Randy Wilson
Grosse Ile – Michael Szczechowski
Grosse Pointe Woods – Douglas Bohannon
Harbor Beach – Jill Fuller
Harrison Township – Kimberly Broski
Hart – Chris Romero
Haslett – Scott Bradley
Haslett – Casey Kern
Hastings – Fred Koning
Highland – Jason Zimmerman
Holland – Jayson Dibble
Holt – Andrew Hoard
Honor – Matt Olson
Horton – Jerry Waddington
Houghton – Gregg Richards
Howell – Anthony Vella
Howell – Nathan Thompson
Hudsonville – Roberto Ortega-Ramos
Ionia – April Holman
Ironwood – Guy Trier
Jackson – Tracy Boyers
Jackson – Troy Fairbanks
Jackson – Daniel Garrison
Jackson – Jim Miller
Jackson – Bernard Nabozny
Jackson – Douglas Richardson
Jenison – Alfred Kennedy
Kalamazoo – Jill Lansky
Kentwood – Andrew Terrien
Kentwood – Rus Tien
Lansing – Oscar Castaneda
Lansing – Steve Crowley
Lansing – Terry Harris
Lansing – Arthur Lilly
Lansing – Keith Rhodabeck
Lansing – Cameron Rodgers
Lathrup Village – Gerald Jones
Livonia – Scott Racer
Macomb – Don Kalpin
Macomb – Terry Prince
Manistique – Joseph Crowder
Manistique – Howard Parmentier
Marlette – Chris Storm
Marquette – John Schultz
Marshall – James Dyer
Marshall – Eric Earl
Marysville – John Schweihofer
Mason – Ammahad Wnaikau
Memphis – Steven Gray
Merrill – Malena Marr
Michigan City – Larry Jordan
Middleville – Darrin Oliver
Midland – Thomas Coatoam
Midland – Alan Huntress
Milan – Jill Hargrove
Milan – Michael St. John
Milford – Jeffrey Garvin
Milford – Larry Walters
Mt. Pleasant – Jeff Siler
Muskegon – Robert Koekkoek
Niles – Cory Gowen
Niles – Glenn Kimmerly
Northville – Doug Doyle
Ortonville – Laurel Kobe
Perrysburg – Gregg Becker
Petersburg – Mike Faunce
Pickford – Marc Andrzejak
Pontiac – Wanda Clayton
Port Austin – Andrew Preston
Portage – Phillip Baker
Portage – Jeff Kirkman
Portage – Mike Lauraine
Portage – Michael Northuis
Reed City – Aaron Keup
Riverview – Gregory Drewno
Rochester – Avoki Omekanda
Rochester Hills – Michael Timko
Rochester Hills – Terry Zangkas
Royal Oak – Linda Mariani
Saginaw – Richard Moody
Saginaw – Charles Smith
Schoolcraft – Nathan DeMaso
Schoolcraft – Reid Jones
South Haven – Ken Dietz
South Haven – Douglas Jones
South Lyon – Elisabeth Tyzo-DePaulis
St. Clair Shores – Chad Kelly
Sterling Heights – Robert Hornik
Sterling Heights – Patrick Radaj
Sterling Heights – Erik Schneider
Sterling Heights – Ernest Sciullo
Sterling Heights – Terry Sheen
Stevensville – Thomas Rivette
Stevensville – Douglas Wegscheid
Swartz Creek – Andrew Palovich
Tecumseh – Eryn Stamper
Temperance – Larry Nocella
Traverse City – Jeffrey Brunner
Traverse City – Jason Meriwether
Traverse City – Thomas Spencer
Trenton – Brian Hill
Trenton – Kevin McMillion
Troy – Glenn Craze
Troy – Patrick Grady
Twin Lake – Mike Vanderstelt
Utica – Edward Kotulski
Wallace – Terry Unti
Walled Lake – Terry Prickett
Warren – Arthur Lynn
Wayland – Joseph Kramer
West Bloomfield – Ilya Beltser
West Branch – Howard Hanft
White Lake – Gregory Waun
Williamston – Kelli Hart
Wixom – Cuba Gregory
Wyoming – Kelli Polinskey
30-YEAR OFFICIALS
Allen – Kent Sanborn
Allen Park – Mark Klein
Alpena – Robert Centala
Alto – Bene Benedict
Bad Axe – Brent Wehner
Baroda – Chris Falak
Battle Creek – John Crumb
Bay City – Stephen Linton
Bay City – Scott Packard
Bay City – Joseph Pietryga
Bessemer – James Trcka
Brooklyn – Gregg Wonderly
Caledonia – Stacy Smith
Center Line – Scott Manteuffel
Charlotte – Val Nelson
Chelsea – Eric VanHevel
Chesterfield – Anthony Mancina
Clinton Township – Barbara Laird
Clinton Township – Scott Walendowski
Comstock Park – Kathy Felty
Davison – James Edgar
Dearborn – Gloria Joseph
Dearborn Heights – Rick Ballnik
Detroit – Joyce Smith
Dowagiac – Scott Stewart
East Lansing – Brent Sorg
Eaton Rapids – Wesley Collins
Essexville – Mark Gentle
Farmington Hills – Robert Dobson
Fenton – Paul White
Flat Rock – Janis Stahr
Flint – Richard Higgins
Flint – John Yelle
Flushing – Jeffrey Straley
Freeland – Terry Schmidt
Grand Blanc – Bernadette Koenig
Grand Blanc – Thomas Le Blanc
Grand Blanc – Leonard Sparks
Grand Rapids – Jacquie DeJonge
Grand Rapids – Jeff Green
Greenville – Darcia Kelley
Grosse Pointe – Ryan Murphy
Grosse Pointe Park – George Markley
Grosse Pointe Woods – Renee Dicristofaro
Hazel Park – Benny Holzman
Hickory Corners – Dean Bostwick
Holt – John Massey
Imlay City – John Forti
Kalamazoo – Julie Jones
Kalamazoo – Mark Kampen
Kingsley – David Lemmien
Lansing – Dee Hammond
Lansing – Robert Mccullem
Livonia – Steve Timm
Manchester – James Connors
Marinette – Neil Motto
Mason – Daniel Carmichael
Mason – Kathy Showers
Mattawan – John Visser
McMillan – Anthony Immel
Midland – Katherine Duso
Monroe – Carolyn Peters
Montague – Stanley Bush
Muskegon – Jacklyn Burr
Muskegon – Chris Calkins
Muskegon – Dennis Danicek
Muskegon – Randall Peters
North Muskegon – Tony Kartes
Ontonagon – Andrew Borseth
Ottawa Lake – Douglas Sanders
Paw Paw – Karla Koviak
Perry – Thomas Montpas
Petoskey – Mark Holland
Pierson – Joseph Williams
Pleasant Lake – Marty Shean
Plymouth – Michael Rossman
Plymouth – Richard Schmidt
Quincy – Candace Cox
Rapid River – Mike Pilon
Rochester – Janette Luttenberger
Rochester Hills – Katherine DiMeglio
Romeo – Mary Milke
Rossford – Steven Agler
Saginaw – Thomas Nichols
Saline – Todd Schultz
Shelby – Todd Fox
Shelby Township – Sheila Brownlee
Shelby Township – Kristi Dean
South Lyon – Michael Kiselis
Sparta – Ryan Huber
St. Clair Shores – Gary Kowalewski
St. Joseph – Terry Myers
St. Joseph – Dave Waaso
Standish – Kimberly Belchak
Stanton – Jason Petersen
Sterling Heights – George Braund
Sterling Heights – John Moceri
Traverse City – Allen Hebden
Utica – Sean Barel
Waldron – Michael Granger
Walled Lake – Donald Magee
Warren – Joseph DiBucci
Washington – Gloria Berger
Wayne – Robert Allen
West Bloomfield – Cynthia Tyzo
Williamston – David Sweeney
Wolverine – David Ashenfelter
Wyandotte – David Shalda
Wyoming – Stephen Hendrickson
Yale – Perry Sutherland
40-YEAR OFFICIALS
Adrian – Doris Goodlock
Allen Park – James Sombati
Battle Creek – Corby O'Leary
Bay City – Tony Biskup
Buchanan – Ronald Bartz
Cedar Springs – Dan Rypma
Charlevoix – Daniel Ulrich
Clark Lake – Ralph Piepkow
Clinton Township – Patrick Crandall
Crystal Falls – Lyle Smithson
Detroit – Aimee Davis
Detroit – John Leidlein
Detroit – Richard Shalhoub
Eastpointe – Wayne Rockensuess
Fort Gratiot – Jeff Klausing
Garden City – Eric Hebestreit
Grosse Ile – Steven Vecchioni
Hancock – Brian Rimpela
Holland – Brent Hoitenga
Hudsonville – Gerald Kuiper
Jackson – Thomas Morrissey
Jackson – Joseph Page
Jonesville – Kirk Snyder
Kentwood – William Meade
Lake Orion – James Weidman
Lansing – Daniel Kitchel
Lapeer – Gary Oyster
Lapeer – Scott Strickler
Macomb Township – William Gerbe
Mayville – Gary Libka
Midland – Bradley Crampton
Newaygo – Clinton Abbott
Ray – David Hines
Reed City – David Erler
Republic – Paul Price
Rockford – Carl Knoop
Rogers City – Karl Grambau
Roseville – Mario Soresi
Saginaw – Michael Mayers
Saginaw – Richard Welzein
Saginaw – Dennis Wildey
Sand Creek – Jack Sager
Sault Ste. Marie – Dale Cryderman
St. Clair Shores – Gerald Garcia
St. Joseph – Bruce Molineaux
Swartz Creek – James Loria
Temperance – Michael Bitz
Traverse City – Barbara Beckett
Walled Lake – Nicholas Lesnau
Waters – Rick Sehl
Ypsilanti – Jerry Kelley
45-YEAR OFFICIALS
Alpena – Scott MacKenzie
Berkley – Charles Tyrrell
Boyne City – Peter Moss
Bronson – Randy Houtz
Brown City – Curt Lowe
Buchanan – Larry Monsma
Burton – Thomas Rau
Cheboygan – Peter Stempky
Conklin – Gary Meerman
East Lansing – Bruce Heeder
Flint – Joseph Johnson
Flushing – David Cowden
Fowler – Dean Schrauben
Frankfort – Peter Olson
Grand Rapids – Todd VandenAkker
Haslett – Heidi Doherty
Holland – Craig Kuipers
Houghton – Roy Britz
Iron Mountain – Robert Barkle
Jenison – James Kerbel
Lake Isabella – James Novar
Linden – John Cross
Madison Heights – Joseph Marcinkowski
Muskegon Heights – Johnny Robinson
Oxford – Donald Maskill
Plymouth – Charles Hempel
Portage – Richard Bird
Portage – Robert Burch
Posen – Donna Couture
Prescott – Charles Wren
Roseville – Robert Iwasko
Shelby Township – Michael Gentry
South Bend – Dale Matteson
South Lyon – Dan Riggs
Taylor – Clayton Conner
Warren – Vern Rottmann
50-YEAR OFFICIALS
Adrian – Gary Laskowsky
Ann Arbor – Michael Parsons
Canton – David Mattingly
Caseville – Daniel Korbutt
DeWitt – Raymond Barnes
Fenton – Hewitt Judson
Fruitport – David Fisher
Kalamazoo – David Turley
Livonia – Steven Boyak
Livonia – John Dunn
Ludington – Roger Chappel
Marlette – Jerry Sauder
Marquette – Gene Aho
Ontonagon – John Gravier
Palmetto – Donald Bourdon
Rodney – Jeffrey Greene
Rogers City – Michael Grulke
Saginaw – Richard Havercroft
South Haven – Robert Linderman
South Lyon – Richard Gibson
Stevensville – Bruce Arter
Traverse City – Tom Post
West Bloomfield – Anthony Magni
Whitehall – Chuck Hulce
PHOTO Chuck Walters officiates this past season's Division 5 Final.