About

Award Recipients

The Athletic Officials Association recognizes officials for service, mentorship and excellence. This page lists the recipients of the Abe Glick Award, the Frank Moscardini Award and the former AOA Recognition Award, along with AOA members named IHSA Official of the Year.

Abe Glick Award

Abe Glick was one of the original pioneers of the Athletic Officials Association. He served as the Secretary of the Basketball Division from 1936 to 1982. Mr. Glick was a high school and college referee and coached in the Public League and Catholic League in Chicago for 50 years. Abe passed away in 1986 at the age of 97 and was a member of the group for 65 years. He was a charter member selection of the AOA Hall of Fame, being inducted in 2008. The AOA has been awarding the “Abe Glick Award” since 1986. The award originally alternated between the football and basketball divisions of the AOA, and now includes all four divisions or the association. To be considered for this award, an individual must be or have been an AOA member for a minimum of ten years and have demonstrated dedication to AOA by working for the general betterment and advancement of officials and officiating through rules knowledge, training, education, and mentoring.

Abe Glick Award Winners

2025 – Steve Harms (Baseball)
2024 – Diane Bryniarski (Softball)
2021 – Joe Spagnolo (Basketball)
2020 – Bob Copas (Baseball)
2019 – Willie Smith (Softball)
2018 – Ted Lepucki (Football)
2017 – Joe Fritsch (Basketball)
2016 – Dave Alstadt (Baseball)
2015 – Jerry Davis (Softball)
2014 – Octavio Herrera (Football)
2004 – Art Kasak (Basketball)
2003 – Al Betilyon (Softball)
2001 – Robert Foster (Football)
2000 – Patrick Deely (Basketball)
1998 – Justin Fortuna (Basketball)
1996 – Joe Hall (Football)
1995 – Bob Hanania (Basketball)
1994 – Gary Stearns (Retired Elmwood Park Athletic Director)
1993 – Ed Stanley (Football)
1992 – Bob Foster (Football)
1991 – Frank Moscardini (Basketball)
1990 – Harold Schwind (Football)
1989 – Ray Brooks (Basketball)
1988 – Bill Matheson (Football)
1987 – Ken Trainor (Basketball)
1986 – Jerry Grunska (Football)

Frank Moscardini Award

The Frank Moscardini Award is presented annually and recognizes a first, second, or third-year official in their sport. The award is named after the long-time Chairman of the Board of the AOA, who was a big supporter of education and retention of officials and oversaw the association’s growth during his tenure. Mr. Moscardini passed away in 2011 and was a 2010 inductee into the Athletic Officials Association Hall of Fame.

Frank Moscardini Award Winners

2025 – Michael Wilson (Basketball); Heather Ruchim (Softball)
2024 – Todd Van Horn (Softball); Noah Alstott (Basketball)
2021 – Sam Houseworth (Football); Robert Beckett (Basketball)
2020 – Lamont Figgers (Basketball)
2019 – Andrea Moore (Basketball)
2018 – Jared Graham (Basketball)
2017 – Colton Ngumoha (Basketball)
2016 – Amos Anderson (Basketball)
2015 – Ron Owens (Basketball)
2014 – Julie Setnicker (Basketball)
2013 – Matt Mache (Basketball)

IHSA Official of the Year

The Illinois High School Association annually selects one official per sport as its Official of the Year. To be considered for this honor, an official must first be nominated by an officials’ association and will be voted by IHSA staff members based on factors such as character, skill as an official, and levels worked in the IHSA State Series. The award originally was named as the NFHS Official of the Year.

AOA Members Named IHSA Official of the Year

2024–2025 – Joseph Trickey (Water Polo)
2021–2022 – Randy Wilson (Girls Basketball)
2018–2019 – Bill Mushrush (Baseball); Ronald Ritter (Girls Basketball)
2017–2018 – Ted Lepucki (Football)
2013–2014 – Bob Copas (Baseball); Octavio Herrera (Football); Chris Schaefer (Softball)
2011–2012 – Sal Vasta (Girls Basketball); Bob Jenkins (Baseball)
2006–2007 – Dave Alstadt (Baseball); Dan Krueger (Softball)
2005–2006 – Randy Liveris (Girls Basketball)
2003–2004 – Frank Moscardini (Football)
2000–2001 – John Dacey (Boys Basketball)
1995–1996 – Ed Stanley (Football)
1993–1994 – John Hornacek (Boys Basketball)
1990–1991 – Richard Kessler (Girls Basketball)

AOA Recognition Award

The Athletic Officials Association presented this award to a member or non-member who made a significant contribution to officiating or to high school sports. The award was initially presented in 1968 and was last awarded in 1988.

AOA Recognition Award Winners

1988 – Wayne Endicott
1987 – Johnny Lattner; Harold Schwind
1986 – Joe Hall; John McDonald
1985 – Maurice Connors; Jerry Markbreit; John Moffit
1984 – Ray Brooks; Barry Mano; Al Scheel
1983 – Ed Stanley; George Yursky
1982 – John Arreazola; Bill Matheson
1981 – Ron Vollmer; Chet Wilczak
1980 – John Connolly; Steve Oracko
1979 – Norm Geske; Jack Leese; Ken Trainor
1978 – Dick Leiber; Mel Lloyd; Mac McCarthy
1977 – Rod Poppe; Fred Schneider
1976 – Dan Mazzie; Bernie O’Brien
1975 – Joe King; Frank Novotny
1974 – Ortho Kortz; Jack Pittges
1973 – Harry Fitzhugh; Bob Franz; Joe Tadelman
1972 – Bill Harden; Ray Jacobson; Joe Molitor; George Rennix
1971 – Ray Polczynski; Bob Stein; Herbert Vesler
1968 – Bill Harley

The Abe Glick and Moscardini Awards are presented at the AOA Awards Banquet. See also the AOA Hall of Fame and the AOA History timeline.