2008 AzFOA Hall of Fame Inductees
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Ron Lemon Ron's 31years football and basketball career started in Pennsylvania
1984 through 1993. |
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Jim Watson
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Jack Null Jack first registered to officiate basketball with the Indiana State High School Athletic Association in 1960. He officiated high school football in AZ from 1967 - 1986 and 1990 - 1995.
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2007 AzFOA Hall of Fame Inductees
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Ed Hochuli PERSONAL BACKGROUND: Born December 25, 1950, in Milwaukee, Wisc. Moved to Arizona as a child.Raised in Tucson, and resides in the Phoenix area since 1976. Ed has six children: Heather, Scott, Jennie, Shawn, Aaron and Rachel. OCCUPATION: Official in the national football league since 1990. Referee since 1992. Attorney since 1976, currently specializing in civil litigation. An originating partner with the phoenix law firm of Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, an 85-lawyer firm founded in 1983. EDUCATION, SPORTS PLAYED: Canyon del Oro High School (graduated 1969). Football (allstate 2 years), Basketball, wresting, track University of Texas-El Paso (undergrad degree with highest distinction, 1972). Football scholarship four years (all-wac academic, 1972) University of Arizona (law degree, 1976). . OFFICIATING: Umpired Little League baseball (1970-1973) Began officiating football in 1973 in Tucson High School (1973-1985). COMMUNITY: Southeast Valley Pop Warner President (1984-88) |
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Robert A. Salviano Jr. 1968 – 1993 AIA Football Official - Worked Playoff and State Championship games in each of the old school classifications (3A, 2A, A, B, C) as well as in each of the new classifications (5A – A) 1968 – 1993 Pop Warner Football Official 1974 – 1999 AZ Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) Football Official 1986 – 2002 Big Sky Conference Football Official Conference Championship in 1998 National Playoff Game in 1999 2006 Inducted into Big Sky Football Officials Association Hall of Fame (Only 2 other Arizona Football Officials are in the BSFOA Hall of Fame (Ed Trexler and Larry Farina) Robert A. Salviano, Jr. has officiated football for 35 years, 25 of those years as a Football Official in the Arizona Interscholastic Association. He has proudly represented Arizona Football Officials by working 28 seasons of NCAA Football. Robert (Jr.) is extremely honored to be inducted into the Arizona Football Officials Hall of Fame along side of his mentor, and Dad, Robert A. Salviano (Sr.). |
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Robert A. Salviano (Sr.) 1947 – 2002 Active Official for Arizona Interscholastic Association (In one or more sports for 56 years) 1947 – 1974 AIA Football Official – Worked Playoff and State Championship games in each of the old school classifications (3A, 2A, A, B, C) prior to becoming the AIA Commissioner of Officials in 1974 1974 – 1983 AIA Commissioner of Officials 1954 – 1956 Boarder Conference Football Official (Now known as the Western Athletic Conference) 1962 – 2002 Pop Warner Football Official (even during the time he was the Commissioner of Officials for the AIA) 1964 – 1986 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) Football Official 1983 – 2002 Resumed as an AIA Football Official after leaving the Commissioner of Officials position for the AIA (Worked Playoff games in the new 5A – A conferences) Robert A. Salviano (Sr.) has dedicated 56 years of his life to officiating football in the state of Arizona. He has trained and mentored hundreds if not thousands of high school football officials in his distinguished 56 year career. |
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2006 AzFOA Hall of Fame Inductees
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Randy Roessler Randy started officiating football in 1956 and retired in 1986. He saw a lot of changes in the game over the years. (When he started officiating Randy received game fees of $8.50 a game and the fields were lined with gypsum and not lime. Lime could burn the skin and eyes.) Randy was my rules instructor for the beginner's class in 1975. He conducted the mechanics class at Camelback High School. Randy taught these classes for over ten years. He was encouraging to all who attended his classes. Randy was well respected among fellow officials and always acted in a professional manner. He represents all the ideals that make up the characteristics of a member of the Hall of Fame. |
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Thomas Frazier Tom has been officiating football for 26 years, at many levels (13 years at the College level) and at many positions. He has been working in the Big Sky Conference for 6 years now and was promoted to Referee for the 06 season. At the high school level, Tom worked the Az. All-Star game in 1988 and 1999. He Refereed the 1995 5-A and 1999 3-A Championship games. He was the Co-chairman and Coordinator for the AIA/Ed Trexler High School Football Officiating Camp from 1996-1999. He served on the CAFOA board and was the President of the association in 1998 and 1999. He was also selected as the Official of the Year by NFIOA for the State of Arizona in 1999. At the Junior College level, he worked the 1997, 1999 and 2000 ACCAC Valley of the Sun Bowl. The 2000 game was for the NJCAA National Championship. He was voted the ACCAC Most Improved Official of the Year in 1997 and Official of the Year in 1998. Tom has been an instructor for many of the beginner classes and a mentor and advisor to many high school and college officials. He has spent countless hours trying to help fellow officials reach their fullest potential. He has been and still is a great asset to the officials of this valley and has been a great leader of this association. |
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2005 AzFOA / CAFOA Hall of Fame Inductees
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JOHN KELLY John has officiated Arizona High School sports through the AIA for 30 years, 1968-1998. He has been a mentor to many upcoming officials. He has worked numerous football playoff games and has work State Championship games in 1976, 1978, 1982 & 1987. John also officiated Arizona High School basketball and worked many playoffs, boys and girls. He also officiated the 1981 Girls State Championship game. John also officiated Baseball and worked many playoff games. He also worked 11 State Championship baseball games. The 1993 4A All Star Game was dedicated to John. In 1996, John was presented with the NFIOA Arizona Baseball Official of the Year. |
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JOHN “TOPP” TOPPI OFFICIATING EXPERIENCE: AIA Football 1966-1991 NJCAA Football 1968-1991 Professional Football – Phoenix Blazer – Southwestern Football League – 2 years Valley of the Sun – Junior College Football Bowl Game Pop Warner Football 5 State Football Championship Games Arizona Junior College Football and Baseball Conferences 1968-1991 PAC 10 Baseball 1966-1991 WAC - Western Athletic Conference Baseball 1966-1972 Inducted into the 2003 NJCAA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame - 1 st Umpire ever to be inducted High School Basketball 1968-1990 |
John Toppi was born on March 12, 1922 in Providence, Rhode Island. During his years at Mount Pleasant High School, John played baseball & basketball and graduated in 1941. He joined the US Navy in 1942 and was stationed on the USS Warrick ADA 89 and served during the invasion of Iwo Jima & Okinowa. Although John retired from Honeywell after 34 years of service he is still working part-time as a bus driver for Apollo High School. John brought pride to Arizona officiating by becoming the first umpire to be inducted into the Junior College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame on May 23, 2003 at the JUCO World Series for the past 30 years and service as Director of Umpires for the last 15 years. Known and respected for his love of sports, Topp brings an eternal smile, a quick wit and an endless supply of wisdom to the game. His incredible history spans the country from Arizona to Rhode Island where, as a young man, he played for Bridgeport in the Colonial League and for Grandby in the Provincial League. Retired Major League umpire Ted Hendry once said of John Toppi “He represents a one of a kind athlete that makes baseball the great sport it is”. John is well known in the Valley of the sun for baseball; but his passion and talent doesn’t end there. He has officiated all levels of high school and junior college football and basketball. There is not a veteran coach or professional athlete from the state of Arizona who hasn’t in some way come to know, love and respect this exceptional man. As an AIA football official from 1966-1991, Topp became a mentor and friend to every official on and off the field. Through 5 state championship games, John was known for his accuracy, fairness and unique sense of humor. Topp has exemplified the character and dedication of AZ officials in all areas of sports. John’s wife Ann, son Jack, daughter Patti Bellew, and grandsons Jonathan and Patrick Bellew would like to Thank Larry Kindred and CAFOA Hall of Fame committee members for honoring this outstanding individual. |
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ROBERT MADRID Bob started officiating football in 1972 with brother John and cousin Henry. Bob started officiating Basketball, soon after. Bob started as a wingman in 1972 and became a referee in 1976. His football crew was together for 20 years and became very close friends. Bob worked many playoff games and officiated 6 State Championship games. Bob also officiated Basketball and was as successful and committed to it as he was to football. He officiated many basketball playoff games. Bob was a long time CAFOA Board member and many times taught classes to new officials. Bob also headed up Area Rules meetings. Bob looked forward to Football and Basketball season every year because he enjoyed being around the kids. He always said that it was not a vocation but an avocation. |
The 2004 AzFOA / CAFOA Hall of Fame Inductees
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Ed Trexler Edward W. Trexler was
born on November 24, 1927 in Ed served in the Army
Infantry in Europe for two years before he was wounded three days before
the Mr. Texeler
always had a love for sports and especially officiating. While Ed spent over 50 years as a teacher, coach
or administrator, that entire 50 years, Ed was an official of one sort
or another. That entire time
he was always working diligently training, assigning or evaluating officials
also. Ed also served as the Athletic Director and
Head football coach at Trex, as many officials called him, first became an official
shortly after high school by doing intramural and city league games.
He did football, basketball, track & field as well as tennis
starting in 1947 as an official for various Ed also utilized his
talents as a supervisor, trainer, and consultant of officials. He was a national and international clinician
for officiating. He was the Supervisor
of Officials for the Western Collegiate Officials Association and the
Commissioner of the Arizona Community College Association for over 20
years. Ed spent many years
in Ed Trexler
passed away at halftime of a high school basket ball game he was officiating
on January 31, 1997. To the last, Ed continued doing the thing he loved
the most, officiate. Hundreds of officials and coaches turned out on
February 4, 1997 to pay their respects for Ed. Many wonderful stories
about Ed and his officiating were shared that day.
It was very evident how many lives he had touched through his
long career. Ed Trexler was truly
a legend in “See
you around the league” .
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Earl
L. Yost
Jr. Officiating Accomplishments Conducted group meetings, clinics and administered test as the asst. commissioner of officials under the direction of Mr. Robert Salviano during 4/1977 to 10/77 when he be came AIA state commissioner from 1977 to1997.
Was instrumental in forming the Region II Football Group for the purpose of upgrading officiating in Region II. Now known as the ( C.A.F.O.A. ) Pop Warner Football Conference: Served as Commissioner from 1960 to 1995 trained and evaluated football officials.
Arizona Junior College Athletic Conference: Served as the commissioner for two years 1967 to 1968 duties were to do the assigning, training, evaluation, clinics, ( etc ). Southwestern Football League: Assigned ,trained, officials for two years. This was a Professional League in AZ. Officiated Football from 1959 to 1977 for: ASIA Western Athletic Conference Big sky conference Arizona Junior College Conference Southwestern Pro-Football League Pop Warner Football Highlights: Worked Professional Football two years in the Southwestern Football League. Worked Bowl in Las Vegas between Air Force and Navy Work a total of ( 46 ) semi and championship for the AIA National Federation of High School Assoc. for service and contributions to high school football in ( 1993 ) National Federation Interscholastic Contributor of the year ( 1995 ) Valley of the Sun Chapter, National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's Jack Stewart Award for contributions as an Arizona High School Football Offical ( 1995 )
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Herman Harold Officiating Experience Started officiating in 1967 and worked until 1994 with the Region II Football Officials Association. (Now known as CAFOA). He served in various positions as a board member to Vice President for about eighteen years. During his eighteen years on the board, Herman served as one of the Commissioners for the Southwest Pop Warner Assoc. His duties were to assign all officials to games and to help mentor the new officials. Herman also assisted in Rules Interpretation Classes and as an instructor at area meetings. While with the AIA, Herman has worked over thirty playoffs and championship games. |
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Joseph Gustafson Joe was an Assistant Recreation Director in Joe’s avocation and passion is officiating. He especially loves baseball, softball and football. He started officiating for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) in 1966. About 1500 football games and 33 years later Joe hung up his stripes. During that time, Joe spent most of his time as the “White Hat”. Joe is best
known as the “father” of the east valley Pop Warner officials. He started assigning officials to Pop Warner
games in Joe also spent the better part of his football career,
serving his fellow officials as a Joe Gustafson was and still is a dedicated official interested in helping the younger official improve and assisting all of his fellow officials in any way he can. |
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Jim Murphy Jim officiated Arizona Football for over 30 years. For 25 of those years, Jim served on the board of the Region II Officials Association (now the Central Arizona Football Officials Association). Jim spent many years teaching the new officials class. There was no one better than Jim for first year officials to get their first exposure to officiating. Jim’s rules knowledge was second to none. He spent several years as the State Rules Interpreter and was instrumental in getting several rules changed in the Federation Rule book.
Jim also spent 30+ years officiating in the Junior College program. Jim officiated over 30 playoff and championship games and was a mentor to all football officials, new and old. |