Officiating in History

Tales of big games, big calls and the officials that worked them.

Officiating in History

Officiating in History
Tales of big games, big calls and the officials that worked them.

Umpire George Magerkurth Ruled With An Iron Fist

S Umpire George Magerkurth ruled with an iron fist, which he wasn’t above wielding when challenged on a baseball diamond. Magerkurth worked 2,808 regular-season games and...

The Game Of The Century – Notre Dame vs. Michigan State 1966

In a game that featured number one against number two — Notre Dame vs. Michigan State — college football fans were highly anticipating which...

The ‘Stuff’ Dreams Are Made Of: NC State vs. Houston – April 4, 1983

Time was ticking down to a precious few seconds in the 1983 NCAA men’s basketball tournament championship game between Houston and North Carolina State.. Underdog...

The Immaculate Reception: Pittsburgh vs. Oakland Dec. 23, 1972

Fred Swearingen's world had slowed down by 1998 and he was into a peaceful life in Carlsbad, Calif. His serene existence when we interviewed him...

Highest-Scoring Game in NCAA History: Troy State vs. DeVry Jan. 12, 1992 

Defense went out the window when Troy State and DeVry Institute engaged in the highest-scoring game in NCAA history. Fifty-one three-pointers by one team are just part of...

YOU ARE THERE: Underdog Upset – App. State beats Michigan – Sept. 1, 2007

The giant was going to slay Jack and burn his beanstalk. Goliath was going to smother David and obliterate his slingshot. The cheetah was going to bring down the gazelle and...

Hammerin’ Hank 715

It was perhaps the most sacred of all of baseball’s sacred records, but when Hank Aaron launched long ball number 715, he became baseball’s...

John Hirschbeck Reminisces on MLB Playoff No-Hitter

It is Oct. 6, 2010, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Phillies are facing the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a...

You Are There: Cal vs. the Stanford Band (November 20, 1982)

By Leon Davis No, the Pac-10 title was not on the line, but when Stanford's Cardinal traveled to Berkeley to take on California's Bears it...

Webber’s Timeout: Michigan vs. UNC 1993 NCAA Championship

The 1993 NCAA men’s basketball championship game was one of the most famous college hoops game ever. Why? Because the new guard — Michigan’s...

Bobby Knight Throws A Chair

Bobby Knight’s molten rage briefly bubbled beneath the surface until, like Vesuvius, he erupted in a pyrotechnic fury. The Indiana basketball coach blew his top...

Our Founding Story – How Referee Magazine Came To Be

It’s often been said that if one has a problem, one has three choices: whine about it, ignore it or do something about it. Lucky for the world of sports officiating, Barry Mano...

Locked Out

Late on the evening of Sept. 24, 2012, three men enjoy a nightcap at a New York City hotel. On the TV, the Seattle...

You Are There: Cooney Launches the Rocket

Then-Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens charges at umpire Terry Cooney after Cooney ejected the fiery fireballer during game four of the 1990 ALCS. AL...

The Shot

As an exhausted Tom Clark settled back into the aisle seat of his Delta Airlines flight the morning of March 29, 1992, a slight...

Partner’s Heart Attack on the Court is Never Forgotten

It is Aug. 20, 2002 and the WNBA is becoming firmly entrenched as a professional league, now in the playoffs of its sixth season....

You Are There: Trumbull Upsets Taiwan in 1989 LLWS Final

If it’s David versus Goliath stories you are looking for, you need to go no further than the 1989 Little League World Series championship game between Taiwan and Trumbull, Conn. And...

Mike Carey’s All-Time Memorable Game

It is Feb. 3, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. The New England Patriots are attempting to become the second undefeated team in pro football history,...

The Earthquake Game: 1989 World Series Game 3 San Francisco vs. Oakland

When the 1989 San Francisco quake hit, baseball stopped as a city tended to its wounds. It was the only time in history a World Series was...

Emmett Ashford – a rare personality

From the minors to the majors, Emmett Ashford was an umpire who had style. His career was typified by an incident in his first...

Hoosiers – Milan vs. Muncie: 1954 Indiana State Basketball Championship

Milan High School, enrollment 161, defeated the favored Bearcats of Muncie Central, 32-30, to win the 1954 Indiana state basketball championship. Plump’s shot with three seconds...

Nolan Ryan’s Final Hit Batter: August 4, 1993

In his illustrious 27-year career, Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan hit 158 batters. “He did not have a reputation as a headhunter,” said retired...

Bronx Brawl – Yankees vs. Orioles – May 19, 1998

Over the years, MLB has seen its share of bench-clearing brawls. Once the benches clear, and the bullpens empty, it is usually a time...

A History of Strikes and Lockouts

Over the years, strikes or lockouts have impacted the officials of every major sport. L abor disputes have been a part of American life since shortly...