Mike has been officiating in South Carolina for 25 years. This includes officiating in football, basketball and baseball.

In football, he has officiated 10 state championships. In 1992, he officiated the North-South All Star game. In 2003, he officiated the Shrine Bowl. He won the Carol Blackwell award in 1992 for District 2; this was prior to District 13 being formed. In District 13, he served on the review board as well as helped to train new officials.

In Basketball, he has officiated six state championships. In 1993, he officiated the North-South All Star game. In 2004, he officiated the North Carolina-South Carolina All Star Classic. He officiated the Beach Ball Classic in 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1999. Mike was selected as the "Official of the Year" for District 4 in 1987 and in 2002 he was inducted into the SC Basketball Officials Hall of Fame. Mike umpired baseball for several years and had the opportunity to umpire the North-South All Star game in 1987.

In addition to officiating at the high school level, Mike has worked on the college level. He worked in the South Atlantic Conference and Southern Conference and was selected to work in the playoffs in both of these conferences. He presently is a head linesman in the ACC.

Mike is employed with the Clinton-Newberry Natural Gas Authority in Clinton, SC. He is married to Sheryl Smith Owens. They have two children, Michael and Avery Owens; who both are presently playing on their high school tennis teams.

The biggest game of Mike's High School career was the 1995 Division II 4-A State Final between Union and Walterboro. This is memorable because of his working with a crew of family members being his father, Sam Owens, and other relatives, Truman Owens, Al Webb, Brian Shealy and Larry Owens. This is a day that he will never forget!

Al began his officiating career in 1973 and with the exception of a brief coaching career, he still officiates today as an Umpire. While coaching, Al was fortunate enough to coach 10 playoff games, 2 semi-final games and win one state championship.

During Al's 28 years as a member of the SCFOA, he has officiated 413 varsity football games including 76 playoff games, 11 semi-final games and 8 state finals games. He also officiated the 1995 North-South All-Star Game and the 1996 Shrine Bowl. He also worked high school basketball, baseball (4 state finals) and softball (1 state final).

Al was elected SCFOA Vice President in 2005 and will serve as President in 2006. As a member of District 13, he has been a member of the Review Board for 11 years, Assistant Director for 2 years and a member of the Banquet Committee for 2 years. He received the Bruce Galloway Award for District Official of the year in 1996. Prior to the organization of District 13, Al was a member of District 2 in Spartanburg.

Al played tackle for the Clinton High Red Devil football team. It was in high school that he met his wife of 35 years, Phyllis Shealy Webb.

Al married into a unique family situation — a family of officials. His wife has often wondered if she were the true attraction, or her uncle Truman Owens, her uncle Sam Owens, her cousin Larry Owens, her cousin Mike Owens, her brother Brian Shealy, her father Bill Shealy or even her adopted cousin Roger Higgins!

Al credits Truman and Sam Owens for teaching him the rules of officiating. He honors Jimmy Braswell as the one who taught him how to work on the field. Al says, "I would not be where I am today in officiating if it were not for Jimmy Braswell. He was my true mentor and friend in that new world of officiating."

Although Al has fond memories of many coaches, he credits Willie Varner and John McKissick as his most memorable. Two very dear coaches in Al's life are Carey Johnson and Mickey Crocker. Al had the privilege to coach these two young gentlemen in high school football. Carey and Mickey have each had successful coaching careers and were members of his football team that won the State Championship. Al cherishes the 2000 State Championship Game between Aiken and Greenwood, because the Aiken Coach was (and is) Carey Johnson.

One of Al's most memorable games was a State Championship Game in 1995. Not only was this his first state championship, but the entire officiating crew consisted of his best friends in officiating. They included Brian Shealy, Truman Owens, Larry Owens, Sam Owens and Mike Owens. His father-in-law, Mr. Shealy, was assigned another game that night.

James A. "Jim" Wyatt was raised in Union County, South Carolina and attended Union High School. He is married to the former Margaret Smith of Greenwood, SC. They have one daughter, Tony, and three grandchildren. Jim served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean War and was a commissioner of the Greenville County Recreation Department for ten years. He is retired from a career with Gulf Oil Corporation. Jim is presently a deacon and layman at Roper Mountain Baptist Church of Greenville.

Jim's officiating career began in 1960 and ended with his retirement in 2002. During those 42 years Jim refereed 68 college games and 574 high school games. These included 5 State Championships, the 1968 North/South All-Star game and the 1997 Shrine Bowl.

Following his retirement, Jim continues to serve as the clock operator at Eastside High School and is responsible for all duties pertaining to game officials. He also provides valuable support to the Eastside Athletic Staff. Jim is a member of the Greer Area Touchdown Club and sponsors the annual Jim Wyatt Award for the Outstanding Football Officials in the Greenville/Spartanburg area. This official is honored at the club's annual banquet and presented a plaque before approximately 300 attendees.

Craig was introduced to football officiating as a youngster by his dad, Bob, an official for many years. He fondly remembers working as the clip man at one of his dad's games. He followed his father into officiating at the Linesman position, working there for 15 years until moving to Referee in 1997. He spent 19 years with the Greenwood district and the past three he has been with Columbia. He has served as District President, Vice President, and booking secretary in Greenwood, as well as on the State Review Committee.

His career did not begin smoothly. For his very first assignment as ECO at a JV game in Ninety-Six, he was in charge of driving the crew. On the way home, they ran out of gas and passersby were treated to the vision of five uniformed officials trying to flag down help. At the post-season banquet, he was awarded a gas can and a map of Greenwood County.

Craig had the opportunity to work both the Shrine Bowl and the North-South Game in the same year, 1992. He has worked 10 State final games at all 5 levels, culminating in the year's exciting Sumter-Gaffney clash. In all he has officiated 306 varsity contests.

One standout memory was an incomplete pass in the end zone which he called on the final play of a Union-Laurens playoff game, which determined the outcome. Many years later, Craig encountered the losing coach at a clinic who advised that after many reviews of the play he agreed that Craig's call was correct.

Nonetheless, Craig feels the mark of calling an excellent game is when nobody remembers the officials. He enjoys the friendships made through the years, and is always pleased to see players and officials on TV with whom he has worked.

Craig works as Plant Manager of the Building Products Division at the Loxcreen Company in West Columbia. He is appreciative of his company's support in permitting him time to pursue his avocation.

He would like to thank his wife, Carol, and his family for their support through these many years. It would have been impossible for him to achieve his goals without them.

Marion (Bubba) Hope is a lifelong native of Columbia and attended Keenan High School, where he played varsity football as a center. Bubba attended Wofford College and the University of South Carolina where he graduated with Honors (Cum Laude) with degrees in Accounting and Insurance.

Bubba is married to Judy and they have one child, Graham, age 4. Bubba is President of Hope Aviation Insurance, Inc.; and Aviation Insurance Brokerage Firm operating in thirty-four states.

Bubba joined SCFOA (District 5) as an Umpire in 1982 and moved to Referee beginning in 2002 and has officiated well over 300 games. Bubba served as an Umpire Chief in District 5 for six years and was very active in training new officials. Offices held were Vice President and President of SCFOA in 1998 and 1999, and the Officials Representative to the Executive Committee of the High School League from 2000-2004. He also served on the Referee Magazine Editorial Board (Seven Years) and was the National Federation Officials Association (NFOA) State Director 2000-2002.

His highlights to date are the 1989 North-South, 1990 Shrine Bowl, and twelve State Championship games.

Other honors include being named NFOA South Carolina Official of the Year in 2000 and the South Carolina Official of the Year by the High School Sports Report in 2001.

Bubba's college career continued in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC 8), where he worked over seventy-five games including two National Semi-Finals. He was selected as Umpire Chief three years and was President of the SAC Football Officials Association in 2000.

His sixteen year basketball career included six State Championships and the North-South Classic when he retired in 1998.

Most memorable for him was the 1990 Rock Hill vs. Northwestern game, one of the first high school games to be nationally televised.

The friends he has made through officiating have provided some of his greatest memories and he credits his accomplishments to them. He is humbled to be considered for inclusion in the Hall of Fame.

Charlie played high school football, basketball, and track at Belton High School. He was selected to play in both the 1957 Shrine Bowl and the 1958 South Carolina Shrine North-South game. His collegiate football career included one year at The Citadel and three years at Newberry College. He considered it an honor to return as an official to the Shrine Bowl in 1978 and the North-South game in 1983.

He worked high school football for a quarter century and 10 years in the SAC 8 collegiate conference. He was elected State Secretary of SCFOA in 1979, serving until 1984.

His funniest moment came at a contest between Keenan and C.A. Johnson. The home captain asked the referee (Bill Cummings) if he could examine the flipping coin to be sure it was not "two-headed". Bill "went ballistic" and requested another captain be sent out. Charlie found some of his most memorable times to be trips to Mount Pisgah High to officiate for Coach "Skinny" Gardner, as well as helping to train Commissioner of Officials Bruce Hulion in his rookie season.

During his officiating career, Charlie worked as controller for Jeff Hunt Machinery Company. He retired from the South Carolina Department of Corrections in 2002. His new "retirement job" is serving as the Mayor of Pelion.

Jim played football, baseball, and basketball at Clinton High in the 1940's under his mentor, Coach Wilmot Shealy. He also played basketball and baseball in the Upstate Textile Leagues in the 1950's.

In 1963, he joined the SCFOA while also working baseball and basketball for the High School League. Jim was honored to officiate the North South All Star Game in 1969 and the Shrine Bowl in 1974. After twenty-eight years officiating, he retired for health reasons. He truly misses the action but attends games regularly where he can see his fellow officials.

His most memorable coach was Mooney Player who proved to be "quite a challenge" to officials; his biggest game other than the Shrine Bowl was the 1990 4A Division II State Championship at Williams-Brice Stadium, a thriller in which Union edged Lancaster 27-26.

Jim worked for Clinton Mills in the recreation department, and coached football and Little League baseball. He also was a Boy Scout leader for ten years. He was appointed Judge for the City of Clinton in 1969, Magistrate for Laurens County in 1975, and served both until retirement in 1999. His love for sports has ruled his life. There he learned "the thrill of victory; the agony of defeat," as the saying goes.

Norwood, a native of Georgetown, graduated from Winyah High School where he played football for the Winyah Gators. He also played with a Company team while he was in the Army during the Korean War.

He served SCFOA beginning in 1966 in District 8, working one year as Umpire, then changing to Referee. His career continued until 1983, and he officiated 317 Varsity games.

In 1972, SCFOA formed District 11 and he was appointed first District Director, serving two terms. He was active in training new officials throughout both terms.

Also in 1972, he was appointed SCFOA Chief Referee. He served on the SCFOA Board of Directors for eight years from 1972 until 1979. He was elected Vice President of SCFOA in 1977 and President in 1978.

Norwood officiated nine State Championship games between 1970 and 1983. He worked the North South All Star Game in 1971 and the Shrine Bowl in 1977. He was the honored first inductee into the SCFOA District 11 Hall of Fame in 2001.

In addition to football, he worked baseball and basketball for a number of years and was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Hall of Fame.

Being honored by the Association and his fellow officials makes an important phase of his life even more memorable to him. He is grateful for the friendships with fellow officials that developed throughout many years.

Buck began his officiating career as a Linesman when the booking office was in Newberry, S.C. under "Dad" Amos. He remained a member of SCFOA for thirty years. Buck was also a member of the Carolinas Intercollegiate Conference and the South Atlantic Conference for seventeen years. During this time he was assigned to work the Newberry-Presbyterian Thanksgiving Day game for eight years in a row.

Buck played high school football at Columbia High School under the legendary coaches H. B. Rhame and Jack Henry. He later played for the Brooklyn-Cayce All-Stars of the S.C. Dixie Semi-Pro Football League. Buck worked for the City of Columbia Electric Department for 35 years before retiring in 1983.

Buck considers the 1966 Shrine Bowl as the biggest game of his career. He also worked a number of rivalry games to include Summerville-Berkley, Camden-Sumter, and Lancaster-Rock Hill. Buck officiated 13 state finals during the 1960's and early 1970's. He considers the undefeated, untied, and unscored on Camden team of Coach Red Lynch as the best high school team that he officiated during his career.

One of the funniest moments of his career was the time he forgot to pack his pants. He had to buy a pair of white cook's pants and cut them off below the knee and use rubber bands to make knickers. After that his wife, Betty, packed his equipment.

Dan began his officiating career when he joined the SCFOA in 1981, and has worked approximately 285 varsity games. He has worked eleven state championships during the period beginning in 1990, and he has officiated at least one championship in each of the five classifications. Dan works as a referee in both the SCFOA and in the South Atlantic Conference.

Dan has served as the secretary/treasurer for District 5. Some of the duties for which he was responsible include maintaining district roles; mail outs to schools, members, and retirees; coordinating the Sportsaramas; training new officials; and all the financial work for the district.

Some of Dan's more exciting memories include the conference championship game between Rock Hill and Northwestern when both teams were 10 and 0. This game required three overtimes to decide a winner. The Lancaster and Union state championship game, which was decided by a one point margin, was Dan's first championship game. Other memories include the Saturday afternoon game at Camden Military when Dan forgot his pants. He borrowed white football uniform pants which did not have pockets. He required his umpire to carry his pencil and game card.

Dan is grateful for the encouragement he has received from his wife, Eve, even when he missed an anniversary to officiate a playoff game. Dan is always gratified to work a game with a good crew and to get the job done correctly.

Marshall graduated from Boys' High School in Anderson. He was a member of the football team and was an All-State end. He graduated from Clemson College in 1948.

Marshall officiated as a Line Judge in the 1950s and 1960s during which time he worked all types of games including YMCA, middle school, and varsity games. During his career he worked several hundred varsity games. His most memorable games included the 1965 Shrine Bowl and All-Star Games along with the Greenville-Parker game, which was played on Thanksgiving Day. He also officiated the 1968 4A state championship game between Greenwood and Hartsville, which was the first championship game played in Williams-Brice Stadium.

Marshall served as Director of District 10 from its beginning until 1968. During his tenure as Director his district was ranked number one in the state several years for their scores on the rules test. Marshall served as President of the SCFOA in 1965 and represented South Carolina at the national rules meeting in Chicago. He served on the committee to help make the transition of the booking office from Newberry to the High School League office. He was also on the committee to devise the rules for the first tiebreaker system used in the state playoffs.

Steve began his officiating career as a member of SCFOA in 1973. He has officiated over 450 varsity games including 15 state finals. He also officiated the 1981 Shrine Bowl and the 1986 All-Star Game.

Steve's job as a manager with S.C. Pipeline Corporation has required several moves around the state. He has been a member of SCFOA Districts 5, 6, 8 and 13. The moves allowed him to get to know and work with officials from all over the state. Steve will always be grateful to Jack Inabinet for recruiting him and to Ed Cox and Virgil Crenshaw for taking him under their wings and training him.

It is difficult to identify his biggest games, but two come to mind. In 1973 his first child was born while Steve was in Bethune officiating his first field game. The police came and took him off the field in the middle of the third quarter. One fan yelled at the police to go back and get the rest of them, too. The second most memorable game was the Shrine Bowl where Steve was told that he was the youngest official to ever work the game.

One of Steve's responsibilities as Assistant Director of District 13 has been the training of new officials. Steve credits his accomplishments as an official to the older officials that mentored him, and he is gratified to see many of the recruits that he trained become successful officials. Steve also enjoys seeing players that were involved in games that he officiated playing college and pro ball.

Joe attended Paris High School where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. During high school he was a member of the Beta Club, and served as club Vice President during his junior and senior years. Joe was also elected Vice President of the student body during his junior and senior years. He was chosen as the senior superlative "Most Likely To Succeed." After graduation Joe attended Clemson College where he earned a degree in Textile Chemical Engineering in 1956.

Joe began his thirty year career with the SCFOA in 1961. During his career he worked 310 games which included nine state finals. Joe served as District 1 director from 1971 through 1974. He officiated the 1972 North-South All Star Game, and the 1975 Shrine Bowl Game.

In addition to his high school career, Joe officiated in the Atlantic Coast Conference from 1974 through 1990. As a member of the ACC, he worked 118 major college games which included the 1980 and 1981 Stagg Bowl, the 1982 Cotton Bowl, the 1985 Blue Bonnet Bowl, and the 1990 Kick-Off Classic. He received the 1990 ACC Service to Officiating Award. This award was renamed the Joe E. Long Service to Officiating Award in 1993. Joe was also a member of the South Atlantic Conference, and was assigned to the Bronze Derby Game between P.C. and Newberry several times.

Joe, who died in 1992, is survived by his wife, Silvia, and his children, David and Lesle, who were supportive of his officiating career and are proud of his induction into the SCFOA Hall of Fame.

Mike began his officiating career with SCFOA in 1967 as a member of District 5. He moved to Charleston and officiated in District 8 for three years before returning to Columbia in 1974. During his thirty-year career in SCFOA he worked numerous play-off games and state finals. Mike was the Referee in the 1975 North-South All Star Game and the 1977 Shrine Bowl Game. He served as District Director for District 5 from 1980 through 1982.

Mike was a member of the NAIA South Atlantic Conference for 16 years. He worked in the Southern Independent Football Officials Association for 7 years and the Atlantic Coast Conference for 6 years. During his college career he had the opportunity to work the Rose Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, and the Outback Bowl.

Mike still remembers his first high school game, which was between Flat Creek and McBee. He considers the mentoring he received from Bee Harper as one of the major factors in his officiating success. He fondly remembers Bee's comment, "You may not know what you are doing on the field, but you stand a lot better chance getting out of there if you look like you do." Mike, who is an estimator for Crawford Sprinkler Company, still misses officiating the games, but even more he misses the contact with the many friends he gained through officiating.

Jim was a member of the SCFOA for twenty-five years until he retired in 1998. He worked as an Umpire for the first seventeen years of his career, and the last eight years of his high school career were spent as a Line Judge. While a member of the SCFOA he served as District Secretary for District 5 for eight years, and as District Director for three years.

Some of the biggest games of Jim's career include the 1991 All-Star game and the 1999 Shrine Bowl game. He also considers the numerous playoff games and State Championships as big games.

Jim has worked college football since 1988, working in the South Atlantic Conference, the Southern Conference, and most recently the Southeastern Conference where he has completed his third year as a Field Judge.

Jim and Bonnie Jean live in Cayce, S.C. where Jim works for AgFirst Farm Credit. They have two children Becky and Christie.

Joe started his officiating career in 1961 in Europe where he worked both Air Force and Army football. Included among his officiating accomplishments are the Army Championship in 1964 and the Air Force Championship in 1965.

Joe joined the SCFOA in 1966 and officiated for 20 years. During his career he worked eight state championships. He was the umpire in the 1974 All-Star game and the 1980 Shrine Bowl game. Joe served as Chief Umpire in District 5 and was instrumental in the training of many new officials. After retiring from active officiating, he has served as an official observer for the association for the past 15 years.

A graduate of Bishopville High School, Joe played college football at Wofford College. He lettered for four years on the Wofford team that went 24 games without a loss. The Wofford team on which Joe played was declared the South Carolina State Champions in 1949 and played in the Cigar Bowl in Tampa, Florida. The best performance of his college career was in 1950 when Wofford upset Auburn 19 to 14. After graduating from Wofford, Joe entered the service. He retired in 1970, after completing 25 years of military service. After retiring from the military, Joe worked for the State Department of Education until 1988.

Virgil began his officiating career with the SCFOA in 1970 and he retired from officiating after the 1993 season. He served as District Director of District Six from 1984 through 1986. He was elected Vice President of SCFOA in 1987 and became President in 1988. As a District Director, Virgil was involved with the recruiting and training of new officials and helping prepare experienced officials for the upcoming season.

As a member of SCFOA for twenty-three years, Virgil had the opportunity to see many great high school teams and athletes. Virgil considers all of his games as the biggest, regardless of the size of the school. Some of the most memorable games include the 1985 Shrine Bowl game, and the 1982 North-South All-Star Game. The 1993 Laurens vs. Lower Richland State Championship game is one he will never forget, not just because it was his final game, but for the game itself.

Virgil, who worked for the South Carolina National Guard, has lived in Cheraw for the past thirty-six years. Virgil considers the support and encouragement he has received from his wife Mildred as the major factor in his success.

Gerald has just completed thirty-four years of officiating in the SCFOA. He has officiated over 470 varsity games including 8 state championships. His officiating career began in 1967 after moving to Varnville. The camaraderie and friendship enjoyed in those early years have endured and flourished. Being able to have fun, tune out problems, and at the same time perform a service to youth of the state, has been a highlight of his career.

Gerald served as Director of District 7 from 1981 through 1981 and SCFOA secretary from 1985 through 1988. He served as SCFOA Vice President 1989 and President in 1990. Another highlight of his career was the National Federation Rules Committee Meeting in Tucson, Arizona.

Some of the biggest games officiated include the 1977 All-Star Game, the 1982 Shrine Bowl Game and play-off games over the years. The most memorable was the Shrine Bowl, which was played in the snow that year.

Gerald and his wife Eleanor are originally from Cameron, S.C. and have lived in Varnville, S.C. since 1966. He worked for the Decorative Products Division of Westinghouse and International Paper during that time. The support of his wife and family and the opportunity to make friends all over the state have made officiating most enjoyable and satisfying.

Bud was born in Gray Court, South Carolina on May 10th, 1938.

In 1963, while pastoring First Baptist Church in Gloverville, Bud began his officiating career in the Aiken district. He officiated football - 36 years, basketball - 33 years, baseball & softball - 32 years.

During his career, Bud officiated 505 varsity games and numerous Jr. High, Jr. Varsity and Middle School games. He had the privilege to work 13 state football finals, basketball state finals along with baseball state finals and softball state finals.

During his career, he had the distinct honor on the state level to serve as Vice-President (1989-90) and President (1990-91). On the local level, for District 4, he served as Director (1985-91) and President and Vice President of District 4.

The rewards that he has received include: District 4 Official of the Year 5 times; Shrine Bowl Official, 1986; and North-South Game Official, 1985.

He helped train others by being Chief of SCFOA as a linesman and backjudge, taught clinics, and sponsored the state wide Back Judge Clinic.

The last game he officiated, on December 3rd, 1999 was Dorman vs. Stratford, the 'Big Sixteen' State Final. This was the biggest for him, not only because of the game, but it was the last time Bud would be on the field as a Football Official.

Bud's career as an Official would not have been what it was without the support of his wife, Bettye, and their four children and four grandchildren. To them, he is very appreciative.

Charlie was from Spartanburg, and all of his school years were in Spartanburg. He played football at Spartanburg High School and Wofford College. He is in the Wofford Athletic Hall of Fame for his basketball achievements. He was honorary captain 2 years in a row of the SC All Stars in basketball. He taught and coached at Barnwell High School from 1949-1958. He coached all sports at one time; and in 1954 his football team won the Class AA Football Championship. He retired from the school system in 1958. He went to work for Milliken, Inc. in Barnwell; and started officiating to keep up with high school athletics.

He liked officiating and his fellow officials. Two esteemed associates were Bob Berry and Frank Staley. He was an umpire in the 1972 Shrine Bowl Game in Charlotte, NC and 1968 North-South All-Star Game.

He especially liked the post-game sessions they had and enjoyed the comraderie of his fellow officials.

Charlie Seay was instrumental and heavily involved in the training of new officials.

Charlie's family was very supportive of his officiating and is very proud of his induction into the Hall of Fame.

He was elected Vice President of SCFOA in 1971 and President in 1972. He also served as local district director.

For twenty five (25) years Bruce officiated football on the high school level and eight (8) years in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC-8). During his 25 years he worked 346 games, of which 11 were State Championship games. Ten of the championship games were Class 4A and the other was AAA.

District 5 of SCFOA elected him to serve as Director for two terms, but he only served 4 years due to taking a position with the High School League Office. As District Director, his duties and responsibilities were to recruit and train new officials and to prepare experienced officials for the upcoming season, both on the field and in the classroom. Bruce served SCFOA as Vice President in 1991 and President in 1992. The National Federation's Distinguished Service award was presented to him for football in 1991.

As an accountant and later Controller of the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, Bruce had the flexibility needed to officiate.

Bruce's most memorable games of his career were the 1993 State Championship between Northwestern and Gaffney at Clemson and 1985 Shrine Bowl game.

Bruce was instrumental in the complete rewriting of the mechanics manual for SCFOA which is used today by all SCFOA officials. As Commissioner of officials, Bruce remains very involved with SCFOA officials and officiating at the national level.

1999 was Ed's thirty-eighth year in the SCFOA. During these thirty-eight years he has officiated in five hundred and seventy seven games which includes sixteen state championship games. He officiated the 1973 Shrine Bowl game, and the North-South All-Star Game in 1978.

In his thirty-eight years in the SCFOA he has served as District Director in District Six 1981-84. He was the Vice-President of the SCFOA in 1985 and fortunate enough to be elected president in 1986. During these years Ed helped new officials in the Cheraw area get started with their careers.

One of his special games would be the first Big 16 Championship Game ever played at Williams-Brice in 1981 between Gaffney and Berkeley. One of the best teams Ed saw during these years was the 1993 Northwestern team that won the Big 16 State Championship 2-0 at Clemson Death Valley. He was an official in that game.

Ed's football playing career started and ended in McColl, SC. He played JV and Varsity at McColl High; he played tight end and quarterback during his football playing days which ended when he left McColl to join the Navy in 1951.

Ed has lived in Cheraw, SC for the past 43 years and has been employed by Delta Mills Marketing during this entire period.

Kirk has been officiating for 30 years, including 450 high school games and 13 state finals. Other sports on his list are basketball, with 12 finals officiated.

He has been District 10 Director and Booking Official District 10, and has received the Roger Allen Award District 10.

Weyman officiated the North-South game and Shrine Bowl games. His hometown during his career was Anderson, District 10. His football experience includes Murray County, Ga. High School and Clemson University.

His primary occupation while officiating was Project Forester for the S.C. Forestry Commission.

Kirk finds the biggest game in his career was the S.C.-N.C. Shrine Bowl. His best team was Spartanburg year-in and year-out.

Kirk was heavily involved in the training of new officials at the JV, B and C team levels for more than 30 years.

His most memorable coach during his officiating career was Pinky Babb of Greenwood High School.

As Truman officiated sports, he has been fortunate to have a job that supported the hours needed to dedicate the necessary time to his officiating career. He worked as a Recreation Director and then a Benefits Administrator with Clinton Mills for 40 years. He is now retired. He has served as a Councilman and Mayor Protem for the City of Clinton for the past 32 years. He has lived in Clinton, South Carolina all his life and has enjoyed being a part of this community. He has been a member of District Two in Spartanburg until the Clinton District was formed. He is now a member of District 13 in Clinton. Truman is proud to have played a part in helping form District 13 in Clinton.

During his 38 years of officiating, he has had the honor to hold the offices of President, Vice President and District Director in the SCFOA. He has received the National Federation Distinguished Service Award - Region Official of the Year in 1987; worked as Field Judge in the 1967 Shrine Bowl game and worked in the 1968 North-South All-Star Game; and has been rated the number one Field Judge for 14 years.

Truman has officiated from 1962 to present, including 696 varsity football games, 30 state finals, 125 play-off games. He also officiated in the South Atlantic Conference on the college football level.

Truman believes the biggest game of his high school career came in 1994 during a battle between Dorman and Spartanburg.

He also officiated basketball (2,130 games), baseball (2,500 games), and softball (1,500 games).

His dedication to the training of new officials was a known passion.

Jim's officiating career began in 1971 with the Georgia Football Officials Association. At that time he was a graduate student at the University of Georgia and was working with the Barrow County Recreation Commission. His job allowed him the opportunity to meet and work with officials who were involved in his youth sports programs. Having played football for four years at Abbeville High School, Jim thought officiating would provide the opportunity to become reinvolved with the game.

After completing graduate school, he accepted the position of recreation director for Fairfield County and moved to Winnsboro in 1972. In 1974 he moved to Lancaster to accept the position of recreation director for Lancaster County.

In 1993 Jim was elected to the position of District 3 Director. As district director, one major responsibility was recruiting and assisting in the training of new officials.

During his twenty-eight years as a member of District 3 of the SCFOA, he has worked 475 varsity games of which thirteen were state championships. In addition to officiating football, he worked as a basketball and softball official for seventeen years. Jim has worked two state championship softball games and several semi-final basketball games.

Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a great honor for Jim. He is especially humbled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at this time with other officials of such high caliber.

James H. Howey, a native of Lancaster, South Carolina, has been officiating for twenty-four years. During this time he has officiated on the High School, College, and Professional level. While making football his main sport, Howey has also officiated basketball, baseball, and softball. He has officiated a High School State Championship game in each of the sports.

Howey was a member of the South Carolina Football Officials Association for twenty-two years, 1975-97, working predominately as a Back Judge. During this time he officiated in 278 varsity games and 12 State Championship games. He officiated in the 1985 North/South All Star game as well as the 1986 Shrine Bowl. Howey was the 1987 State Chief Back Judge. He served as the Vice-President of the S.C.F.O.A. in 1992 and was elected as President of the association in 1993.

Howey worked college football in the South Atlantic Conference and then later the ACC.

He was chosen as a member of the National Football League officiating staff for the 1999-2000 season. He wears no. 37 and works as a Back Judge.

He credits his Dad, the late James H. Howey, Sr. who officiated in the S.C.F.O.A. for 25 years, with sparking his interest in officiating. Jimbo and his Dad became the first father/son combination to officiate the Shrine Bowl with Jim Sr. working the 1960 Shrine Bowl and Jimbo working the 1986 Shrine Bowl.

He cites the 1986 Shrine Bowl, which was the 50th anniversary game, and the 1994 Big 16 State Championship game between Spartanburg and Dorman as being the biggest games of his High School career.

He has been employed with the Lancaster County School system for 23 years as a teacher, Principal, and currently serves as the Director of Adult Education. He and Anne have a daughter Anna who is 8 years old.

After graduating from the University of South Carolina, Ken accepted a teaching position at South Junior High School in Lancaster, South Carolina. He coached football and basketball for four years. At the end of four years, he decided to give up the coaching positions and was approached by Buddy Brannen about officiating. Ken's 25-year officiating career has included fourteen state championships, over 275 games officiated, the Shrine Bowl, and North-South All-Star games.

Membership in SCFOA has allowed Ken to serve as director of District 3, vice-president and president of the organization. He was fortunate to attend the national meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Seeing the respect that other states have for the South Carolina football organization was an eye-opening experience. Being asked to work on the SCFOA Scholarship and being a part of the initial Hall of Fame committee are two of his contributions to the association.

Longevity in officiating allows the opportunities for many friendships, some lasting more than twenty years.

A background in education, his profession for 30 years, makes him inclined to have a great interest in training officials. Classroom study sessions and field work with young officials were important parts of his duties. It was rewarding to share your experience and proper mechanics and rules knowledge of the game with someone who is eager to become a good official.

Len began officiating in the SCFOA in 1968 and retired in 1992 after completing 25 years. He has officiated 345 high school varsity games. He officiated 12 state finals (10 consecutive from 1980-1989).

Len worked the S.C. High School All Star game in 1976 and the S.C.-N.C. Shrine Bowl in 1979. He has served his entire 25 years in Columbia's District Five where he served as a line Judge chief during his tenure in the SCFOA. Len was also employed by Delta Airlines at the Columbia Metro Airport. He recently retired from Delta after more than 30 years of service. Currently, he officiates in the Southeastern Conference.

He was a member of the SAC-8 small college conference for five years and recently completed his fourteenth year at the Division One level (6 years in the Southern Independent Association, and 8 years in the Southeastern Conference). Len has completed 32 years since he began.

Of course, his lovely wife Bonnie has helped make it all possible through her great love and support throughout all the years.

His biggest high school game was the Division One State Championship.

His most memorable call being a touchdown call when Eau Claire beat Spring Valley 7-0 (Spring Valley's lone loss of the year).

Dreher officiated for 33 years, twenty years as a Line Judge and thirteen years as a Referee. He officiated 483 football games and 14 state finals. Dreher spent thirty three years in SCFOA, serving as District Director of District 8, Palmetto Touchdown Club's Official of the Year 1976, North-South All Star Game in 1971 and officiated in the Shrine Bowl in 1977.

Dreher lived in Charleston, SC and was a member of District 8 for his entire officiating career. He played football at Orangeburg High School and participated in the North-South All-Star game in 1949. He lettered 3 years at Clemson, played in the 1951 Orange Bowl and the 1952 Gator Bowl; played in the 1953 Blue Gray Game, the 1954 Senior Bowl and the 1954 College All-Star Game. Dreher was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

While officiating Dreher worked with Commercial Credit Corp.

He conducted training classes and rules classes for officials with less than 3 years experience for many years in the Charleston District.

The biggest game of his career was the 1997 Stratford-Summerville game for the region championship.

The best team during his career was Summerville.

The early days of his officiating began shortly after he was married and moved to Columbia, SC.

Gene officiated football on the high school level for thirty years (30) in District 5 from Irmo, and twenty-one years (21) in the Southern Conference Collegiate Association. During his 30 years he worked 256 varsity games of which 10 were State Championship games in all classifications from 4A to 1A.

He was the first Back Judge Chief for the SCFOA and helped write the mechanics for this position that was used statewide.

As a Branch Manager of Allison Erwin Company for 27 years in Columbia, this profession gave Gene the flexibility to spend the necessary time each fall to work the game of football. He currently owns and operates a Commercial Cleaning Company, Allbrite, Inc.

The biggest game of his high school years was the Laurens vs. Clinton rivalry on Sept. 17, 1982 and the Shrine Bowl in 1983.

Gene served as Line Judge Chief in 1983 and Back Judge Chief in 1984-1985 for SCFOA. In 1996 he received the Silver Whistle award from the Southern Conference for being the Outstanding Official.

There are very few towns, or crossroads that he cannot find a friend who he can reminisce with the wonderful opportunities officiating football has given to him. He has been blessed by the Good Lord all these years with good health and a heart's desire to do his God given best as a paid observer, a knowledgeable and impartial judge, an official of the game of football.

Sam has spent 42 years officiating, with a total of 692 football games. His other sports include 43 years of basketball, 35 years of baseball, and 17 years of softball. He has spent 42 years in the SCFOA, holding offices of Vice-President in 1974, President in 1975, Executive Committee officials representative 1988-1992, 1996-2000. He was local Director of District 2 (Spartanburg) 4 times and District 13 (Clinton) 1 time.

Awards Sam received include Laurens Touchdown Club 1989, Carol Blackwell Award in 1975, 45 State Finals Awards, Official of the Year Award NFIOA 1987, and the Region Three Award 1993.

His hometown and districts during his career include (Clinton) Districts: Football Spartanburg District 2, Clinton District 13; Basketball Ware Shoals, Clinton District 4; baseball mid-state, and softball mid-state.

His football playing experience includes Clinton High School (1950-51). Sam's primary occupation while officiating has been in textiles.

Sam's biggest game of his high school career came when working state final in 1995 with his son (Mike), his brother (Truman), his nephew (Larry), his relatives (Al Webb & Brian Shealy) in Union vs. Winnsboro game.

Sam's most memorable call was when he made the winning call on field goal on last play of 1972 Shrine Bowl Game with a Clinton High player kicking winning field goal.

He also was very instrumental in working with young officials in his district.

Sam was elected to the National Federation Hall of Fame in 1998.

Allen began his officiating career in 1974 as an umpire and retired in 1998. He worked approximately 280 games during his tenure as a high school football official. During this time span he worked eight state finals.

Allen spent 25 years in the South Carolina Football Officials Association in District One, Greenville, SC. He served District One as Vice President, President and District Director during this time. He was also state Vice President in 1988, and President in 1989.

He worked in the Southern Conference as an umpire for eight years 1988 through 1995. He still serves the conference as an Official Observer.

As District Director it was his job to see that new officials were trained and oriented to the game. This was a responsibility he cherished as he not only found it rewarding but also found that he got as much out of it as the new guys did. He still loves to talk rules and mechanics.

The biggest game of his high school career was the 1984 Shrine Bowl game. It was a great ball game won by South Carolina in the very first overtime game in Shrine Bowl History. The other South Carolina Officials in that ball game were Sam Stephenson and Ken Hudson.

To sum it all up, it has been a wonderful experience and period in his life and he wishes he was young enough and sharp enough to still be there. A very rewarding trip, and he misses it!!!

Bill officiated for 26 years, totaling approximately 750 games and 20 finals. He served 26 years in SCFOA, holding positions such as President, Vice-President, Chief Linesman 2 times, Officials Representative 3 years and District Director District #1. He also received the NFICA Official of the Year award. His hometown and district during his career was Simpsonville, District #1. He played football at Saluda High School.

Bill's occupation is Sales in Corrugated Boxes; and he is the owner of Sunbelt Container, Inc.

His involvement in training officials began in videotaping young officials and other officials during J.V., B, and C team games to aid their positioning and skills on the field.

Bill's biggest games of his high school career were the 1968 Shrine Bowl, the 1969 All-Star game and many of the state championship games.

Bill's funniest moment in a game was during half time on a very, very cold night. He started a fire on the fringe of the towel the umpire used to wipe the ball, but it was still in his belt.

His biggest game of his college career was the NAIA National Championship game between Elon vs. U. Wisc. at Lacross.

The best team during Bill's career was Byrnes High School during the late 1970's or early 1980's.

William N. "Bill" DeVore was born in Ninety Six, South Carolina and attended and graduated from the Ninety Six Public School system. While in high school, Bill played four years of varsity football, basketball and baseball. After graduating from high school, Bill entered Clemson University, and after serving in World War II, graduated from Clemson with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1949. Bill is married and the father of five children.

Bill is employed with Davis & Floyd, Inc., an Architectural/Engineering firm in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Bill joined the South Carolina Football Officials Association in 1951, and officiated as an umpire through 1983. Bill was a member of District 4, and served as its director in 1965. He was elected vice president of SCFOA in 1966, and as president in 1967. Bill was further honored to be elected as state secretary of SCFOA, and held this office from 1971 through 1978. During the thirty-three year officiating span, Bill worked an estimated four hundred games, some fifteen state finals, and several North-South All Star games. A highlight of his career was to be an official in the Shrine Bowl game played in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bill remembers well the Shrine Bowl game in 1967.

At the end of an officiating career, to be honored by his fellow officials, to be inducted into the South Carolina Football Officials Hall of Fame, is and will ever be, the pinnacle of success for Bill DeVore.

Larry began his football officiating career in 1968 in Anderson, S.C. He officiated 24 years covering 320 High School games. It was one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of his life.

During those years Larry officiated 11 State finals. He was President and District Director of District 10, Anderson. He was also Vice President (1980) and President of SCFOA (1981).

During his career Larry has received numerous local awards which include the Roger Allen Award three different times. This award is given to the official in District 10 who exemplifies the most dedication within the District. Larry officiated college football in the NAIA.

The biggest game of Larry's career was definitely the Shrine Bowl that he officiated in 1979. The best team that he remembers was Spartanburg High School in the early 1980's.

His occupation is State Farm Agent.

Two of the most memorable coaches for whom he officiated were Pinky Babb of Greenwood High School and Tom Bass of Seneca High School.