Officials association honors 8 veteran football referees

SHEFFIELD - More than 250 years of football officiating experience was on display this past Wednesday evening as the Tennessee Valley Football Officials Association held its annual awards ceremony, honoring a select group of individuals who have dedicated their much of their lives to officiating high school football in the Shoals.

Eight officials were recognized at the Sheffield Recreation Center.

Bob Seeley, Doug Thrasher, Charles White, Steve Letson, Earnest Darby and Jack Belew were all recognized for outstanding service to the association, having dedicated at least 20 years to officiating with the association.

Also honored were the late Jerry Wallace, and Griff Crittenden, a journeyman who had served as an official for 41 years before passing away before the start of the 2009 football season.

Ron Henry, president of the TVFCO, remembered Crittenden as a man who loved the sport and made a positive impact on everyone who worked with him.

"My first head referee assignment was 33 years ago and they sent me out with Griff as my umpire," he said.

"To be a rookie and have an established veteran out with you is a big deal. Working with Griff got my foot in the door of officiating."

Todd Burbank, a veteran member of the association, echoed Henry's sentiment.

"Griff was a great man who really cared about high school football," he said. "That much can be said for every man that was honored in this ceremony, though. These guys came out every week because of their love for the game and a drive to contribute in any way they possibly could. This is a very special group of men."

Each honoree was presented with an inscribed plaque reflecting their time of

service, as well as the date of the ceremony.

According to Henry, the ceremony is the association's way of giving back to men who have dedicated their life to improving high school football in the area.

"Honoring these guys is the least this association can do," he said. "To dedicate your life to making a sport better for high school kids is something special. Every member of the association strives to be like these men. You won't find a more respectable group of officials anywhere."

Also honored was Greg Scroggins, who was named the Newcomer of the Year, an award given to the association's most-improved

official with less than three years of experience.