NFL & NFHS Officials of the Month

REFEREE
Steve Luedeman Jr., Crivitz
Steve demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and the mentorship and development of new officials through his role as a long-time member for the Green Bay Officials Association and their Football sports committee. Steve leads portions of the on-field positioning and mechanics clinic for new officials with passion. Steve has routinely brought new officials with his crew to help develop them. Steve has worked every level from pop warner though college and even the Indoor Arena Football League. He has worked multiple levels including college playoffs, indoor football championship games, and WIAA championship games. Steve is committed to remaining on the field on Friday nights to give back to the game he loves.

UMPIRE
Bill Haling, Wausau
New to officiating, Bill exemplifies a strong commitment to continuous improvement by immersing himself in the officiating world, attending clinics and meetings, and seeking mentorship as a lifelong learner to constantly improve his craft. His teamwork and crew cohesion is evident through his reliance on his crew members, whom he credits as amazing mentors who provide immense support and patiently answer his constant questions about rules and interpretations. Bill was a former coach and now turned official and is actively participating in the Central Wisconsin Officials Association (CWOA).

HEAD LINESMAN
Dale Konwinski, Chippewa Falls
Dale is a WIAA master-ranked official with over 26 years of experience.  Dale has demonstrated giving back to the sport of football by leading annual Q&A rule clinics for high school teams in the area and discussing the NFHS Points of Emphasis.  By leading clinics Dale has been able to provide important, critical feedback to new officials through that process.  Dale is best known by coaches for creating and maintaining strong relationships, a steady presence, and having productive and patient sideline conversations.

LINE JUDGE
Cody McLean, Markesan
In Cody’s spare time he gives back to the game of football by running a youth flag football program.  Cody also coaches or has coached levels 5th grade through high school assistant.  He also spends time and serves the community by speaking to high school officiating classes and sharing his stories and the benefits of becoming an official.  Coaches shared Cody is a "discipline and character guy” who has the unique ability to connect with all kids.  

BACK JUDGE
Travis Brown, Wausau
Travis demonstrates mentorship and giving back to football by sharing his passion and experience, helping to train new officials at the CWOA annual clinic and by working non-varsity games to help develop youth football officials.  Travis is a student of the game with a family history in officiating.  He continually shows a commitment to improvement by regularly attending association meetings to enhance his knowledge and mechanics.  Members of his crew indicate he excels as a dead ball official and is a valuable asset to his crew.

REFEREE
Pat O'Brien, Madison
Pat has been a football official for the past 40 years.  He has officiated youth, high school, and college football during that time. Besides being a championship level official, Pat has served in various leadership roles with the Southern Wisconsin Officials Association and has been a clinician numerous times. Pat has volunteered his time to staff a booth at the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association annual clinic to help foster stronger relationships between coaches and officials. Pat challenges his crew on a weekly basis with a difficult quiz pushing his teammates to be better.  Pat also helps to teach football officiating at Verona High School.

UMPIRE
Nick Solum, Merrill
Nick is the football chair of his local officials association, Central Wisconsin Officials's Association.  Nick helped to organize and lead an officials clinic this past summer in an effort to gain more officials and help others improve their craft.  In his spare time Nick will review game film for various crews and for a few coaches as well.  Although he isn’t the white hat, Nick is a leader within his crew by challenging everyone to get better every week and ensuring crew continuity.  Known as the “rules guy” on his crew, Nick has taken great pride in knowing the rules and challenging others by creating weekly quizzes and sharing them with fellow officials. 

HEAD LINESMAN
Jim Herson, Marinette
Jim is the consummate professional to the officiating avocation. One of things that Jim takes great pride in is how he treats every chain crew he works with, ensuring that they are well-prepared and integral part of the officiating team. Many coaches commented how approachable Jim is and able to clearly communicate when things get hectic during play. Jim is committed to safety in football by remaining vigilant when observing plays and communicating with the athletes when they are starting to push the limits within the rules of the game.

LINE JUDGE
Eric Chartre, Deerfield
Eric is being recognized for excelling in game management and his dedication to his craft. That is evident in how he prepares for the season with his rules knowledge and mechanics of officiating. Eric is dedicated to teaching and helping newer officials by moving from his normal position during sub-varsity games to allow those newer officials an opportunity to work on the line of scrimmage. Eric is active in the Southern Wisconsin Officials's Association and helps to answer football questions to various members. In his spare time Eric has coached youth flag football and speaks to local youth football programs about officiating questions and rules explanations. 

BACK JUDGE
Luke Gajewski, Kaukauna
Luke was called upon to help lead back judge training sessions for the Green Bay Official’s Association during their preseason clinic. Luke is an active middle school, high school, and college football official. He is able to blend those experiences to enhance his teaching skills. Luke has led very informative and helpful presentations for officials and how to review film to help newer officials develop quicker and build upon their experience. As an active member of the Fox Cities Officials's Association, Luke also takes great pride in recruiting former students and players to join the officiating community, helping grow the next generation of officials.