Official News
Photo: Pop Warner photo at University City
Mike Sexton, Don Carey and Mike Carey
We are looking for additional SDCFOA member photos and stories from the past and present.
Include the names of the officials.
Steve Coover's 2025 Weekly Bulls
See the current Weekly Bull for 4/2/25
First Meal at the Duke
NCAA Women's College Flag Game
Irvine Valley Vs. Saddleback
Social Gathering of the SDCFOA College Group
1/20/25
Congratulations to the following Officials that worked the 2024-2025 Post Season!
NFL Playoff Games
Tim Podraza
Divisional Playoffs Washington vs. Detroit
Line Judge
AFC Conference Championship Game
Buffalo vs. Kansas City
Alternate
Danny Short
NFC Wild Card Washington vs Tampa Bay
Down Judge
AFC Conference Championship Game
Buffalo vs. Kansas City
Alternate
College Bowl Games
Jace Carlson: ACC Championship Game Clemson vs SMU (Alternate)
Marlow Fitzgerald: CFP First Round - Indiana @ Notre Dame Michael Sparling: Arizona Bowl - Miami OH vs Colorado State
David Lofton: Holiday Bowl - Syracuse vs Washington State
Jon Stabile: Cure Bowl - Jacksonville State vs Ohio
David Middleton: First Responder Bowl - North Texas vs Texas State
Steve Hoslett: Military Bowl - East Carolina vs NC State Justin Elliott: Texas Bowl - Baylor vs Louisiana State Jacob Wittler and Mark Halby: Heritage Bowl - Central Missouri vs. UT Permian Basin.
College Post Season
Joe Greene assigned to the FCS 2nd round playoffs at Idaho.
Junior College Post Season
Junior College Bowl Games and Playoffs – Congratulations to the following:
Jersey Mike’s Valencia Bowl:
Kyle Takoa (R)
Southern California Bowl:
Blair Havens (R)
Miles Bailey (U)
John Gill (SJ)
Semifinals:
Riverside vs SD Mesa:
Brian Mills (R)
Glenn Inigo (HL)
Mt. San Antonio vs El Camino:
Ben Boccoli (BJ) Southern Championship Game Dave Garza (R) Alternate
High School Flag Finals
CIF Girl’s Flag Championships – Congratulations and thank you to our officials who worked a flawless set of four championship games:
Bob Flavin – Ryan Lanz – Matt Fratus
Charlton Lynch – Mark VanDierendonck – Kirby Wallace
Jon Cima – Ed Delos Reyes – David Rios
Greg Covington – Jerry Reimers – Tom Blick
Katie Ott has been selected to work the NFL Flag Football Regional Tournament.
High School Championship
Mike Andrews, Nathan Thernes, Mike Duggan, Levi Sumner, Ed Blick, Leonard Blevins and John Gill will be working today’s game between Pacifica and Grant high schools.
High School Finals
| Division | Open | I | II | III |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Referee | Mike Andrews | Matt Starr | Brian Mills | Darrin Bronk |
| Umpire | Ed Blick | Miles Bailey | Frankin Simmons | Sammy Totah |
| Head Linesman | Nathan Thernes | Alex Szwed | David Collins | Erik Bryan |
| Line Judge | Michael Duggan | Blair Havens | Brandon Page | David Duffield |
| Field Judge | Levi Sumner | Derrick Vassar | Anthony Finney | Ben Sherlock |
| Side Judge | Leonard Blevins | Nathan Wolf | Ben Boccoli | Ted Schiess |
| Back Judge | John Gill | Kyle Takao | Andrew Burkart | John Downing |
| Alternate | David Garza | Scott Carroll | Terry Bernard | Rick Christensen |
| Division | IV | V | 5AA | VI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Referee | Rob Schaerer | Mike Downing | Bob Duggan | Michael Allen |
| Umpire | Art Warren | Jeff Ukrainetz | Lorse Gilbert | Steven Leibold |
| Head Linesman | Paul Tyrrell | John Cahill | Imperial County | Clay Reynard |
| Line Judge | Spencer Hoffelder | Don Clay | Scott Trimble | Brandon Shaw-Cedeno |
| Field Judge | Kyle Amstead | Ryan Robinson | Imperial County | N/A |
| Side Judge | Glenn Inigo | Corey Butts | Imperial County | N/A |
| Back Judge | Eric Turner | Kelsey Moore | Imperial County | Brad Shein |
| Alternate | Eric Stoffers | Gerry Burgos | Mark Fattal | Michael Dearborn |
Congratulations to the Winners of the 2024 CIF Sportsmanship Award
Valley Center
Point Loma
San Ysidro
Bishops
Valhalla
2024 SDCFOA Banquet
2024 SDCFOA Award Winners
George A. Schutte Award
Frank Alfano Over Time Award
Rookie of the Year
Dan Inskeep
Paul Kwiatkowski
Chris Strong
SDCFOA Anniversaries
50 Years
Don Carey
40 Years
20 Years
Mike Allen
Keven Smith
Don Clay
John Perez
Banquet Photos
Message from CIF Commissioner
Dear SDCFOA,
I trust this message finds you well, and that your association is enjoying an outstanding fall 2024 season in the San Diego Section! Earlier this summer we were notified of the intent from both the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) & State of California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to choose one week in each season of sport to honor the men and women who make everything we do across our section possible, our officials! For the fall 2024 season, the week of October 6th - 10th has been selected as “Officials Appreciation Week”!
When I first heard of the proposed recognition, I couldn’t believe that we didn’t already have something like this in place! How we have not taken the time on an annual basis to thank and honor the individuals who take on an often-thankless position of being the arbiter of our athletic contests is beyond me. So, from an extremely grateful San Diego Section office, I would like to express my gratitude for the leadership you provide your association on a daily basis. Being a leader is never easy, and it often puts us in the difficult position where tough decisions need to be made to move a group forward and get back in alignment with the mission of our work. As Simon Sinek once said, “The true value of a leader is not measured in the work they do, but by the work they inspire others to do.” Thank you for your leadership!
To all the officials in your association, we would like to say thank you for taking the time out of your daily schedule to officiate our contests. For the tireless work they put in both in and outside of our arenas and stadiums to continually improve, we say thank you! The professionalism and care that you show our student athletes and coaches should be commended, and please know how grateful we are that you have chosen to officiate in the San Diego Section.
We are truly lucky to have such an outstanding group of officials working with our student athletes and coaches in the San Diego Section.
Thank you for all you do, and I hope you and the members of your association have a wonderful Official’s Appreciation Week. You definitely deserve it!
Mr. Joe Heinz and Mr. Todd Cassen
Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner
San Diego Section San Diego Section
Mike Carey Guest Speaker
The 2nd year class would like to thank Mike Carey, former NFL Referee, who was our Guest Speaker and participated in Class Discussions and Instruction last night!
Garth DeFelice Guest Speaker
The 2nd year class would like to thank Garth DeFelice, NFL Officiating Coordinator Coach, who was our Guest Speaker and participated in Class Discussions and Instruction last night!
So, You Want to Officiate
SDCFOA is remembering two Officials that have Passed Away
Ed Olsen
I am sad to report that long-time SDCFOA Crew Chief, Mentor, El Cap and Grossmont College Baseball Coach Eddie Olsen passed away. He was 89. Ed was an official between 1968 to 1986. He worked at the college level between 1977 to 1983. Longtime crew till 1986. He worked in several finals notably in 1983 Division 2A and as a Referee in 1986 in a Division 1A game.
I'm sorry the younger members didn't get to know him. The year I was on his crew was one of the most intense years I've had but I learned a lot and he made me a Crew Chief. Tom Ables
Robert Smith
I am very sad to report that long time SDCFOA member, Bob Smith, passed away. Bob was a member between 1981 to 2020. Worked college from 1987 to 1992. Bob was long time Secretary-Treasurer.
He was, I believe, the nicest man I've ever known. I drafted him 5 times and worked many college games with him. I'll always remember, after every game the crew had at one of the Escondido schools, driving up Starvation Mountain for the post-game dinner his wife, Alice, made. She notified me this morning and mentioned how much he loved the SDCFOA. Tom Ables
Tom Ables on Prep Pigskin Report
2024 New Crew Chiefs
Leonard Blevins
Corey Butts
Glenn Inigo
Eric Stoffers
Levi Sumner
SDCFOA would like to congratulate the three new Crew Chiefs for the 2024 season.
National Football Foundation
Steve Hoslett will be honored by the National Football Foundation at a dinner and social at the Doubletree Hilton in Mission Valley. Ticket information will be sent out asap. Steve has been such a great asset to our high school and college officials we will want to attend in support of Steve and this well-deserved honor!
High School Sports Association
Tom Ables was awarded "All-Star Recognition" on Monday night by the High School Sports Association. That distinguished group's mission is to celebrate high school athletics and the presenter, Damon Baldwin head coach of Ramona High School, was quick to point out the importance of the roll that officials play in the sport of football. Tom joins a very distinguished group of coaches, administrators and officials who have distinguished themselves as All-Stars! Congratulations Tom!
SDCFOA Remembers John McDade
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the sad news of the passing of our own John McDade. He was a great crew member and a wonderful umpire. John was the coordinator for volunteers for the Holiday Bowl and got many of us involved in the production. John was an on-field official for 22 years. He worked finals in 2011 and 2018. John was the liaison for the football officials who worked the San Diego State games. An instant replay technician for SDSU women basketball and for 15 years sideline replay assistant for SDSU football. He passed away this morning in peace with his family by his side. We will all remember and miss his deep friendship and love for the game of football. He lived a full and successful life, and we are all better off for having him as a good friend! God Bless John! - Steve Coover
Referee Magazine
Congratulations to two of our own making it in the Referee Magazine. Matt Starr, our President in December 2023 and Parker Anderson in August 2023.
2023 Honor Bowl
“It’s more than just a football game!”
Photos courtesy of Josh DaFoe
Welcome to The Honor Bowl, America’s finest High School Football Showcase with teams that have traveled from 14 states. The Honor Bowl continues to attract some of the best High School Football Programs in the U.S. We bring an educational experience for athletes, coaches, the fans, and their communities about who the true heroes are the men and women who volunteer to protect our freedoms and way of life!
High school football programs play in an event that is ‘more than just a football game!’ Cathedral Catholic High School of San Diego will be the host of the SoCal Honor Bowl. The list of teams will be compelling with programs that understand hard work equals success.
Game 1: Oak Ridge (El Dorado, CA) vs. Madison (San Diego, CA)
Game 2: Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, AZ) vs. Cathedral Catholic (Del Mar, CA)
Game 3: Trinity Valley (Ft. Worth, TX) vs. University City (San Diego, CA)
Game 4: Red Mountain (Mesa, AZ vs. Helix (La Mesa, CA)
Game 5: Punahou (Honolulu, HI) vs. Centennial (Corona, CA)
To learn more about this program go the website Honor Bowl.org
Looking for New Officials
We are looking for new officials. We will be working girls flag football this season. Sign up today!
Joe Greene is interviewed by Paul Rudy at KUSI.
https://www.kusi.com/san-diego-county-football-officials-association-seeking-referees-for-fall-2023-season/
Referee Magazine July 2023
Congratulations to two of our own making it in the July 2023 Edition of Referee Magazine. Matt Starr, our President and Glenn Inigo.
Marlow Fitzgerald National Football Foundation Official of the Year!
Congratulations to our own Marlow Fitzgerald for being selected by the National Football Foundation as the Official of the Year. The dinner and awards will be on April 14th at the Doubletree Hotel in Hazard Center. I will send out ticket information as soon as it is available. Congratulations, Marlow!
Attached is the flyer announcing the NFF Annual Awards Banquet where our own Marlow Fitzgerald will be recognized as the Official of the Year. It is always a great event which includes a no-host social, dinner and the awards presentations. Please join us as we recognize and honor Marlow for all of his achievements and for what he has meant to the SDCFOA! The link below will lead you to on-line ticket sales using the Eventbrite site. I found the process to be fairly easy to use. Call me or Jennifer Bower (see flyer) if you have any difficulty
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/50th-annual-national-football-foundation-scholar-leader-athlete-banquet-tickets-513410393307?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
Congratulations to Steve Coover
Last night Steve Coover received the Bob Breitbard Meritorious Achievement Award at the San Diego Hall of Fame High School Coaching Legends 22nd Annual Induction Dinner.
San Diego County Football Officials Assoc/School Administrator
Steve began his officiating career in 1976 following in the footsteps of his father Chuck Coover who played, coached and officiated football in San Diego County. During Steve’s 32 years as an official, he was assigned to some of the top games including over 20 CIF semifinals and 6 CIF Championships and 1 State Championship. He continues to serve as the Instructional Chair for the San Diego County Football Officials Association and is currently the CIF Rules Interpreter for the state. Steve is a paid observer for several West Coast Football Conferences and the NFL. He is a retired administrator who served as a Principal in both the La Mesa-Spring Valley and Grossmont Union School Districts.
Steve Coover Acceptance Speech
Junior Garcia starts his 50th season with SDCFOA
Channel 10 News interview
Read News Article
As officials, we know that what we do isn’t easy. It takes a lot of snaps to become proficient at what we do. Even with experience, there is always room for improvement. Always a cause to get better. We have fun and look back proudly at what we have learned and experienced over the years. But sometimes it’s tough. You have a bad game. A coach gives you hard time. Or sometimes the old body just doesn’t feel up to the job on a particular day. It’s fun and it can be rewarding but imagine doing this for 50 years.
This year our own Junior Garcia will complete his 50th year as an official in our Association. 50 years of snaps, flags, whistles, and calls. 50 years of learning, growing, improving, and setbacks. 50 years of leadership, mentorship, friendship, and comradery. This is truly an amazing accomplishment. Junior has dedicated himself to our Association, the youth in our community, and the game of football. He has done it faithfully, competently, and happily for all these years.
When you do positive things for your community, people take notice. Local media has taken notice and came out to see Junior in action on opening night. Please watch Junior in this Positively San Diego segment recently aired on 10 News. On behalf of the entire Association, Thank you Junior! Congratulations on reaching the 50-year milestone. Now, for the good of the Association, get back on the field!
Terry Bernard President SDCFOA
Recruitment Interview
Trying to cope with officials shortage
Credit to both John Maffei and the San Diego Union Tribune for this article.
https://enewspaper.sandiegouniontribune.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=ecd4a7ff-8ae9-4b56-a60b-d713345a6c9e
Last Wednesday we had our general meeting. President Terry Bernard and Instructional Chair Steve Coover welcomed everyone back. Former NFL Back Judge Don Carey gave the members a presentation to get the season started.
SDCFOA would like to welcome 32 first year officials. It is not too late to join. We are accepting new officials. Go to our Home Page to register.
All training and instruction provided.
Shortage of youth football officials could push high school games to Thursdays and Saturdays
Read Article
Recruitment Video on KUSI featuring Joe Greene
Paul Rudy interview with Joe Greene
San Diego County Football Officials Association seeks new referees for Fall 2022 season - (kusi.com)
SDCFOA in the News
The SDCFOA and its officials have been highlighted many times in the local news, including articles on the association’s efforts to recruit new members, podcast interviews with the instructional chair, and feature stories highlighting notable SDCFOA officials and their accomplishments on and off the field.
July 13, 2021: “Football Officials Association Seeing Shortage in Referees” – KUSI
July 12, 2021: “Referees Sought for San Diego County Fall Youth Football Season” – Patch
July 12, 2021: “Referees Sought for San Diego County Fall Youth Football Season” – Times of San Diego
July 12, 2021: “Referees Sought for San Diego County Fall Youth Football Season” – NBC 7/39
July 12, 2021: “Referees Sought for San Diego County Fall Youth Football Season” – Coast News Group (also appeared in referee.com)
June 29, 2021: “The SDCFOA Meeting Our Officiating Diversity Deficit Head On” – Voice & Viewpoint
Aug. 4, 2020: “High School Football Seeking Officials to Combat Shortage” – San Diego Union-Tribune
Dec. 11, 2019: “Safety is Priority #1 for San Diego County Football Officials” – U-T Prep Podcast, San Diego Union-Tribune
July 24, 2019: “U-T Prep Report Online: Interview with Steve Coover” – U-T Prep Podcast, San Diego Union-Tribune
Oct. 17, 2018: “Official, 80, Has No Plan to Take a Seat on the Sideline” – San Diego Union-Tribune
July 13, 2017: “Hall of Famer Earned His Stripes as Football Referee” – San Diego Union-Tribune
June 28, 2017: “Military Seen as Hotbed for Recruiting Sports Referees” – San Diego Union-Tribune
June 28, 2016: “Ex-Charger Gets Football Fix as Official” – San Diego Union-Tribune
June 24, 2016: “Football Officials Looking to Increase Ranks” – San Diego Union-Tribune
Sept. 3, 2015: “Former Ref Mike Carey Now Explains the Calls” – Associated Press
June 27, 2015: “Officials Find a Way to Stay in the Game” – San Diego Union-Tribune
May 6, 2014: “County Looking for Football Officials” – San Diego Union-Tribune
Feb. 24, 2013: “NFL Referee Mike Carey a Success On and Off Field” – San Diego Union-Tribune
Sept. 16, 2011: “NFL Official Knows He’s Only as Good as His Last Call” – San Diego Union-Tribune
Referee Magazine Article by Bob D'Angelo
September 2021
Referee Magazine Covers
Garth DeFelice August 2002
Tim Podraza September 2004
Mike Carey November 2006
