Sports Participation

I enjoy sports and have for as long as I can remember. From the time I was a young boy I went Deer Hunting and Fishing with my family. I took Hunter Safety when I lived in Utah. When in Idaho I went fishing often with my grandfather to Cassia Creek in Elba, Idaho.

When in elementary school I played sand lot baseball. We also played a type of catch. Some one would hit the ball and the person catching the ball would be awarded points for the type of catch. When a certain point level was reached, that person would then hit the ball.

I never participated in any team sports until I was in Utah. I was always small but played church basketball. I always wanted to learn how to play, but had to learn by playing. Back then, no one really would take the time to teach young people how to play. There was no little league or Jr. Jazz basketball.

When I was a sophomore I started wrestling. I then I developed appendicitis and had to quit the team that year. I wrestled again during my Junior year and earned enough points to be awarded a varsity letter, but never received it.

When I moved to Idaho I joined the wrestling team. It was a successful season and I earned my Varsity letter. When I was in the Marine Corps I wrestled for the Marines and I played volleyball. I was told these were college level games, the same as if I participated for a college.

I never participated in sports again until after I was married. I played basketball with the church teams, again. But, in 1987 I began my officiating career. I was encouraged by a slow pitch official, David Bluemell, to begin officiating slow pitch. This was done while I was a player for a church softball team. I was the pitcher and played 2nd base and did well. That same year I was the coach for the men's team. I had coached a young men's team in the early 80's, also.

In 1987 I became an official for USSSA. I did that for three years and decided to branch out. So, in 1990 I joined the Utah High School Athletic Association and became a basketball official. In 1991 I started officiating High School football and in 1992 I began officiating High School baseball and softball.

From then to now I have officiated at many basketball camps. I have officiated High School Varsity and Junior Varsity and Sophomore and Freshman and some college-level games. In 1993 I passed the IAABO (International Association of Approved Basketball Officials) test, becoming internationally certified.

In 1992 I also became certified as an ASA Umpire (Amatuer Softball Association). A few years after I discontinued my association with USSSA softball. I attended two National Umpire's Schools and have officiated women's, young girl's and Men's fastpitch and slow pitch softball. In 2004 I was picked up as an official for the Scenic West Athletic Conference. I have officiated for schools from Idaho, California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Some of these have been Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, Southern Utah University and Utah Valley University.