WOA announces 2008 Hall of Fame inductees
From the WIAA:
On August 9, 2008 at the Yakima Convention Center, the Washington Officials Association will induct the class of 2008 into the Washington Officials Association Hall of Fame. Ken Jones, Gery Gehrmann, and Frank Fiddler will be recognized for their contributions to the youth of Washington through sports officiating.
The WOA is pleased to announce the class of 2008:
Ken Jones (Tacoma, WA) – Ken began his officiating career in 1968 as a basketball official. Throughout his career Ken worked for the Western Washington Boys Basketball Association and Tacoma Girls Basketball Board. Ken served as the assigning secretary for Western Washington Basketball Association for 21 years. He has also been a WOA Executive Board member for 23 years, including 12 years as President.
Gery Gehrmann (Vancouver, WA) – Gery began his officiating career in 1970 as a wrestling official for the Evergreen Wrestling association in Vancouver. Throughout his career, Gery worked numerous regional and state tournaments and was involved in Mat Classic from 1989 through 2006. In addition to officiating, Gery served as a WOA Executive Board member for 6 years, including terms as President and Vice President.
Frank Fiddler (Seattle, WA) – Frank worked to create the WOA in the late 1950’s, along with fellow WOA Hall of Fame inductee Tom Cross. Frank served as the chairman of the WOA Advisory Council from 1958 through 1977. Frank worked basketball, football, and baseball throughout his officiating career. In addition to his many years of service to high school sports, Frank officiated the 1964 and 1976 Rose Bowl games.
In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, the WOA will be honoring the following officials of the year:
Baseball: Stan Bryson, KPR Baseball (Kennewick)
Boys’ Basketball: Eric Cheatley, Lower Columbia Basketball (Longview)
Girls’ Basketball: Larry Fox, Tri Cities Girls Basketball (Kennewick)
Football: Jeff Donahue, Blue Mountain Football (Walla Walla)
Gymnastics: Donna Lucero, Snohomish County Gymnastics (Snohomish)
Fall Soccer: Robert Lemmon, South King County Soccer (Lakebay)
Boys’ Soccer: Octavio Torres, Wenatchee Valley Soccer (Wenatchee)
Softball: Steve Mayer, Snohomish County Softball (Everett)
Spirit: Jaci Gruhn, WSSJA (Olympia)
Volleyball: Marty Palmanteer, Okanogan County Volleyball (Omak)
Wrestling: Brian Stephan, Whatcom-Skagit Wrestling (Bellingham)
Steve Brown and Larry Johnson (Tacoma) will receive the Thomas A. Cross Service Award recognizing individuals who exemplify the ultimate service to the Washington Officials Association.