Referees Exchange Whistle-Tooting Memories at Krzysiak's
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Doc Mosier reads the honor roll of referees who have passed on in recent years.
Some of them have been blowing the whistle, tossing flags and hustling up and down football fields and basketball floors for half a century.
Many are gone now, but memories remain of long auto trips to Alcona and Ubly, and of reaching referee Nirvana at a state playoff game.
But mainly the former referees of the past 50 years around Bay City recall their friends and the good times they shared.
A couple dozen oldtimers got together recently in a breakfast meeting put together by Dick "Doc" Mosier, 50 years a ref, and Ken Thomas, a 27-year veteran, at Krzysiak's House Restaurant.
Younger sportswriter Mike Spencer was there, sharing the scrapbook on refereeing kept by his father, the late, and revered, Jack Spencer -- Mr. Referee himself.
The talk included memorable games, incidents, watering holes, coaches and athletic directors. And, of course, other officials.
Guys who forgot their shoes and had to borrow some from a coach were ribbed about forgetfulness and lurid tales were swapped about refs who didn't know when to come home after a game, their high jinks becoming the stuff of legend, at least in referee circles.
Patriarch of the refereeing clan, venerable Joe Donnelly, 91, who is in the Bay Medical Care Facility, and Harry Borucki couldn't attend because of illness.
Dan Skrzypczak, 81, a fitness buff, is still refereeing and was the oldest at the meeting.
Jim "Banks" Ralph, who has logged half a century coaching football, Bill Johnston, Dewey Scheddel, Lynn Conway, longtime Delta College athletic director, Gary Anderson, calling himself a "rabbit ears" ref, Paul Dannesberger, Hank McEvoy, 25 years a ref and a three-time world powerlifting champ, Joe Malenfant, Hank Miller, Ken Beaudin, Jeff Bisel, still coaching at All Saints High --all were there around the coffee pot.
Tribute was paid to about 30 who have passed on including Larry Scott, Joe Drake, George Oliver, Kevin Green, Al Bergman, Ed Haapala, Gene Hornack, Bob Luce, Bill Hebert, Paul Grein Jr., Joe Mikolajczak, Vic Lockwood, Louie Moultane, Jerry Mossman, Karl Newingham, Sheldon Sauve, Dan Socia, Jim Vayre, Wayne "Speed" Wilson, Dave Kukla, John O'Shea, Don Rynek, Gene Kopec, Chalmer Young, Ernie McDonald and Bernie Ulrich.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)
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