Officiating in History
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Tales of big games, big calls and the officials that worked them.
The Pine Tar Incident: Brett v. McClelland – July 24, 1983
As Tim McClelland walked toward his gate at New York’s LaGuardia International Airport the evening of July 24, 1983, the first-year AL umpire had to pass...
You Are There: Boise State’s Statue of Liberty vs. Oklahoma 2007
Some eyebrows were raised when Boise State was selected for the 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos were a perfect 12-0 during the 2006 season, but some questioned the caliber...
You Are There: First MLS Game
When the first outdoor first-division pro league soccer match in over a decade kicked off in front of 31,683 fans — the largest crowd...
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...
Behind the Scenes: Super Bowl Saturday 1997
The officials who worked Super Bowl XXXI have earned well-deserved praise from supervisors and fellow officials. Their strong performance was the product of hard...
Mayhem in Cleveland: Browns vs. Jaguars Dec. 16, 2001
It started out as a feel-good day that would eventually take a serious turn for the worse. There was no way of telling that...
College Football Officiating at 150
DYK? Referees did not make all rulings in college football games until 1876.
As college football marks its 150th anniversary this season, it is only...
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 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...
Port of Calls
Having done hundreds of college basketball games in their officiating careers, a pregame walk-through usually is no big deal for NCAA Division I men’s...
John Wooden: An Interview
You might wonder why a magazine for sports officials interviewed a coach, even one as legendary as John Wooden.
Through our decades of experience,...
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...
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...
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...
DQ’d: Tyson vs. Holyfield June 28, 1997
Five days after ending the notorious Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield fight with a Tyson disqualification, Mills Lane is holed up in his Nevada District Court...
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...
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...
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...
Umpire George Magerkurth Ruled With An Iron Fist
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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...
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...
The Ice Bowl: Green Bay vs. Dallas Dec. 31, 1967
The Northland Hotel’s cheerful wakeup message belied what had settled in during the night.
“Good morning,” the answering service chirped. “It is 16 degrees below zero and...
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...
Favre’s MNF Dad Game – Dec. 22, 2003
When the 2003 NFL season opened, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre had already pretty much assured himself a place in the Pro Football...
Inside “The Comeback” – Buffalo vs. Houston 1993
Had the now ubiquitous “Win Probability Chart” been a thing in 1993, the Buffalo Bills and their fans would not have been happy with what it showed at halftime of their AFC...