Hall of Fame

Football & Basketball Official
42 years IHSA registered (started in 1982)

FB Conference worked:
IHSA (officiated state finals – 2006, 2016 & 2021)
1988 – Illinois Junior College Conf. (JCOA)
1992 – CCIW / WIAC (Crew Chief) *Assigned to Div. III National Champ. Game 2010*
1995 -Indoor Football League/Arena League (Crew Chief) Officiated multiple league Championship games
1996 – Midwest Semi Pro Football Leagues
2000 – Big Ten
2008 – MAC – Crew Chief/Head Referee
2008 – Pioneer – Crew Chief/Head Referee

NFL – Crew Chief/ Head Referee – Replacement official – 2012 *Assigned to the Hall of Fame game*

Inducted into the American Football Assoc. (AFA)
Hall of Fame in 2003 (as one of only 25 officials nationwide)
AOS – Lifetime Achievement Award – 2016
AOA- Joined in approx. 1994 (30 years)

Married to Eileen 40 years, 3 daughters, 3 grandchildren, lives in Bartlett

Serving the Athletic Officials Association basketball division for three decades, Joe Spagnolo occupied the positions of President, Vice-President, Board Member and Associate Board Member.  Spagnolo fulfilled the duties as Division President for six years and was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the AOA Executive Board.  Under his guidance, Joe improved the classroom portions of training by developing a massive video library for hundreds of his presentations that were given throughout Northern Illinois on an annual basis.  In addition to his on-court officiating duties, Spagnolo wore many hats in the profession, working as an assignor, state clinician, classroom instructor, collegiate observer, IACO Clinic Chairperson, and lead administrator of Arbiter for the Chicagoland High School Basketball Assigners.

Chris joined AOA in 2002 under the watchful guidance of Frank Nitti and Frank Moscardini; and was an AOA Member for 17 years. Schaefer served on the AOA Softball Board Member from 2005 to 2018. Chris is a 7-time IESA State Final Official (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2021); and a 3-time IHSA State Final Official (1/2A – 2013, 3/4A – 2016 & 3A Plate Umpire for the 3A Championship Game – 2019). Schaefer was named as the 2013-2014 IHSA Softball Official of the Year and was a 2018 Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee.

Dennis became a high school official in 1977 and immediately joined the AOA that same year. He was assigned to his first state series game in 1983 and continued to work in regional and sectional rounds through 1990, when new regulations disallowed college officials to work high school level games. Bracco worked collegiately in the CCIW and the NIIC starting in 1983 and was assigned his first Division 1 college game in 1984. Bracco would officiate at the Division 1 level for the next 28 years, including the Mid-Continent, Horizon, Sun Belt, Ohio Valley, Big Ten and Conference USA. Highlights included working his first NIT Game in 1999, his first NCAA Tournament game in 2000 and working both the Division 2 and Division 3 NCAA Tournaments three times each. Now retired from officiating, Bracco continues his involvement with the AOA by participating in Zoom meetings.

Greg was a “founding father” of the AOA baseball division, starting the group in spring of 2001. He served as a presenter multiple times at the division’s winter training sessions. Greg worked many post-season games in baseball and provided an unconditional love for umpiring. He has always shared everything that he knows with his fellow umpires – before, during and even after of meetings and training sessions. Greg was also a three-time state final official in football in 2000, 2003 and 2011.

Bill was President of the AOA Baseball Division from 2016-2018. Mushrush was a state final baseball umpire for the 1993 Class A, 1994 Class AA, and 2003 Class A tournaments. Bill was named the 2019 Baseball Umpire of the Year by the Illinois High School Association.

Scott is a multiple-time state final official in both softball and football. Stemple officiated the IHSA Class 4A title games in softball in 2014 and 2017; and officiated the state championship football games in 2017 and 2021.

Tim Kiefer has brought energy and creative ideas to AOA since at least the 1990’s. His many contributions to AOA include providing training for new officials, offering certified IHSA clinics in new creative ways for AOA members and presentations at AOA meetings and banquets. Tim is an engaging speaker that is knowledgeable about rules, mechanics, and philosophy of football officiating. At Tim’s suggestion in 2008 the AOA Hall of Fame was established, and the first class of members was inducted based on Tim’s hard work and dedication. Tim is also an assigner and President and Founder of MIBTonline.com.

Jeff Conrad is a four-time IHSA football state championship game official, working the title tilts in 2006 (8A), 2009 (7A), 2012 (6A), and 2017 (8A). Conrad served as Vice-President of the Football Division, and as an assigner. Jeff revitalized the division meetings with small group video discussion led by trained facilitators. In partnership with the IHSA, Conrad created Football Focus, the Weekly Football Quizzes, and the Playoff Primer. Jeff is the chief contributor of video content to the Officials Education Association You Tube page, which allows access of hundreds of instructional video clips.

Larry was an AOA Member for 25 years, from 1980 to 2005 in both basketball and football. Caponigri was a 2019 inductee into the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference’s (GCAC) Hall of Fame as a basketball official. He officiated the Girls Basketball State Finals in 1998 and 1999 and the Football State Finals in 2005 and 2007.

Actively involved in the leadership of the AOA for more than 15 years, Tom served on the Board of Directors of the AOA Basketball Division and was elected as AOA Basketball Division President for three years, serving in that capacity from 1977-1979. As President, Tom was very instrumental into having meetings at Concordia College, moving the banquet to the northside, and getting newer officials from that area to join the AOA, as the group’s membership total surged to more than 250 officials. Kleinschmidt was a 2019 inductee into Central Officials Association (COA) Hall of Fame. He officiated the IHSA State Finals in 1984, 1985 and 1986, and is a member of the officials wing of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Joe Fritsch has been a member of the Athletic Officials Association for over 40 years; has been the association’s Treasurer for more than 20 years; and has served the basketball division’s as its Vice-President and a member of the Board of Directors for most of his tenure. Joe was selected to officiate the Illinois High School Association’s Girls State Basketball Tournament in 2004, 2005 and 2007, including the Class AA state championship contest between Peoria Richwoods and Bartlett in 2005. Fritsch is only a handful of IHSA officials to have reached the state final level in three different sports, as he has finals experience in softball in 2002 and 2003; and water polo in 2005 and 2007, to go along with his three basketball state finals appearances.

Sal Vasta has been a member of the Athletic Officials Association for more than thirty years and has assumed a role in the leadership of the organization as division Vice-President and a member of the Board of Directors for three decades. He brings a vast background of knowledge to the group by being a state clinician and an assignor. Vasta worked the Illinois High School Association Girls State Basketball Tournament in 2004, 2005 and 2007, and he officiated the state championship game between Fenwick and Bolingbrook in 2007. Sal also officiated the 2012 and 2017 football state championship games and the 2019 softball state finals. In addition to being a Hall of Fame member of the AOA, Sal was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s Officials Division in 2016 and is a member of the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame.

Downes was a referee in the National Football League for 34 years and had been scheduled to be an official observer of games starting in 1975. William passed away three months before the season started that year. Downes was the referee for the NFL championship game in 1947. William worked in the aviation industry since 1927 and assumed the post of Chicago’s Aviation Commissioner in 1956.

Bob Jenkins is a three-time state finals baseball umpire, working the IHSA tournaments in 2007, 2008 and 2012. Bob also officiated the 2018 Girls State Basketball Tournament. Bob has been active off the court with the AOA, serving as its Baseball Division Vice-President from 2003 to 2007, and being a Board Member in the AOA Basketball Division.

Officiating basketball for more than 50 years, Honacki was a mainstay on the court and in AOA meetings. Stan served the Athletic Officials Association as its basketball division president 1974-1976 and division vice-president from 1971-1973.

Ted served the AOA as its Chairman of the Board with the second longest tenure, from 2010 to 2021. Under his guidance the organization enjoyed some of its greatest successes. Lepucki was the AOA Football Division President from 2009-2011. Ted is a three-time state final official in football, working the championship game in 2010 (7A), 2013 (5A) and 2021 (6A)

Ray started his officiating career at the age of 25 starting in the Western Conference, now known as the Big Ten Conference. He officiated baseball, basketball and football and is one of the founding fathers of the AOA. He served as President of the football division from 1929 to 1935. In 1929 he was hired by the National Federation of High Schools to write a new set of football rules and train officials. He invented the Play Simulations Book in 1930 which taught rules by example that was later renamed the Case Book for both the NFHS and National Football League. In 1938 the NFL appointed Ray as Technical Rules Advisor and Supervisor of Officials and continued to work for the league through 1952. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and is the only football official in Canton.

Kouzmanoff officiated basketball and football and worked all levels of basketball, including working games in the NBA. He served as President of the AOA football division from 1951 to 1965, the longest serving President in any sport in the 100-year history of the AOA. Tommy officiated the IHSA state finals in 1953, 1954 and 1955. He worked as a reporter for the Chicago American and covered 31 state basketball tournaments. His column “Prep Patter” ran for 21 years. Kouzmanoff was inducted in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1974 and is a member of the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame.

The first football division President of the AOA, Walter served in that post in 1917. A superior athlete, Eckersall led Hyde Park High School to an undefeated season and to the unofficial national high school football championship in 1903. He went to play collegiate football at the University of Chicago, guiding the Maroons to the 1905 National Championship. Along with being one of the founding fathers of the AOA, he was an outstanding official, working as referee for the 1916 Rose Bowl and for the legendary 1927 game between Notre Dame and Southern Cal, played in Soldier Field before an estimated 120,000 spectators. Walter became a sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune and established the Tribune Athletic Association, recognizing sports officials in the Chicagoland area. Eckersall Stadium on Chicago’s south side is named in his honor and is still in use today

Kasak has been an IHSA Official for more than 40 years. He officiated high school and collegiate basketball as well as the professional leagues in the American Basketball Association. Art served as President of AOA Basketball Division from 1998-2006. Kasak was presented with the Abe Glick Award in 2004.

Frerking has had his share of success stories in a 40-plus year officiating career. Paul reached the state championship at three levels, officiating the IHSA girls state basketball tournament in 1998 and 1999; the IHSA boys state finals in 2004 and the IHSA football state championship game in 2001 and 2007. Frerking officiated in the NFL In 2001 and was an Arena Football League umpire for many years, working the Arena Bowl championship four times. Paul also umpired softball at the ASA National Tournament for nearly 20 years and was inducted into the 16-inch softball Hall of Fame in 2007. He continued his basketball officiating at the collegiate level being a womens’ Division I official. He continues to serve the sport as a mentor to new officials and as an observer for the Big Ten and the Big East Conferences. Frerking is only one of two people who have been inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a coach and an official, with the latter recognition coming in 2009.

Tony served as AOA softball division President from 2019-2021. Swat was named to the state finals officiating crew in softball for the 2019 Class 1A & 2A tournaments.

Graber is an eight-time state finals official. Chuck umpired the IHSA state baseball title game in 1994, 1995 and 1997 – working behind the plate in his final appearance. He also officiated the IHSA state football title game in 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009 and 2012. He served the IHSA as football division President in 1996 and 1997; and was the division vice-president from 1993 to 1995. Chuck won the Bob Udell Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association’s Umpire of the Year Award in 2008.

Eddie was a fixture in women’s basketball during his 45-year officiating career. He has worked the IHSA state series, as well as NCAA Division I, II and III contests and at the pro-am level.  Eddie also has a passion for mentoring younger officials, as he can still be seen on sidelines with his watchful eye. Palmer was inducted into the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Officials Association Hall of Fame. In the early 1970s, he coached at Holy Name Cathedral and earned the Golden Basketball Award. Palmer was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017.

Eddie worked 32 years as a basketball official.  He was a dedicated professional who served as mentor for two different officials’ associations.  Monaghan worked the IHSA state finals in 2006 and 2009.  Ed’s stellar career was cut short as he suddenly passed away at a basketball game in December of 2014. Monaghan was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coach Association Hall of Fame in 2016.

A football and basketball official for over 30 years, Herrera also officiated baseball, softball, and lacrosse. Octavio has served as IHSA clinician and assignor in football and basketball. He officiated the IHSA football state championship games in 2006, 2009 and 2012. Herrera has served on the IHSA football advisory committee. Among his accolades are the Abe Glick Award Winner in 2013 and the IHSA Football Official of the Year in 2014. Octavio served as basketball division president from 1996-1997

Alstadt umpired the IHSA state championship title game on three occasions.  He worked first base for the 2004 Class A title game; officiated first base for the 2005 Class AA championship; and was behind the plate for the 2008 Class 4A title tilt.   Dave served as a certified clinician in the sport of baseball with the IHSA.  He was the Fox Valley Blues Umpire of the Year in 2003 and the NFOA Umpire of the Year in 2007.  Alstadt served the AOA as Baseball Division President from 2003-2007.

Feign was a long-time ambassador of the AOA for three decades. Ron worked the 1997 IHSA Class AA state championship game between Loyola and Taylorville that drew the largest attendance figure in girls’ basketball state tournament history (7,454). Feign moved to Colorado, staying busy with the game, working the scorer’s table for US Air Force Academy Prep School and watching officials on the court. Ron also served the AOA as its basketball division vice-president in 1998.

Refereeing basketball for over forty years, John Hornacek saw both sides of the out of bounds line by being an official and an assistant coach at Saint Joseph High School in Westchester for most of those years. As an official, Hornacek achieved stardom as he was selected to officiate the IHSA state basketball tournaments in 1989, 1990 and 1991. He was named the Illinois High School Association Basketball Official of the Year in 1994 and was a 1999 inductee to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. John’s son, Jeff, played 15 years in the NBA and was head coach of the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks.

Copas had three appearances in the IHSA state championship baseball game as an umpire. He officiated the 1999 Class A state final game, the 2004 Class AA state championship and the Class 4A state final game. Bob was named IHSA Official of the Year for baseball in 2014. Copas was the AOA baseball division President in 2001. Bob was presented with the Abe Glick Award in 2020.

Buchner officiated the IHSA state championship title game in football in 2000 and 2003. Tom served the AOA as President of the football division in 1999, had two stints as vice-president in 1998 and 2000, and was the division’s secretary/treasurer from 2005-2008. Buchner also served the AOA as its first baseball division President in 2001.

Frank was the long-time Chairman of the Board of the Athletic Officials Association, occupying that post from 1993-2009. Moscardini officiated for 45 years and officiated the IHSA state championship game in football in 1991, 1992, 2001 and 2004. Frank received the Abe Glick Award in 1991 and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003. Moscardini was named IHSA Football Official of the Year in 2004. He served as a certified basketball and football clinician and assignment chairman for a variety of different conferences. After his death in 2011, the AOA instituted the Frank Moscardini Award, which is annually given to a first, second or third-year official that shows promise and exemplifies the passion for officiating. The award is presented in all sports of the AOA.

Smith was the President of the AOA softball division in 2011. Willie officiated the IHSA state Softball finals five different times in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2010. Willie was elected to the Illinois Coaches Association Softball Umpire Hall of Fame in 2004. He retired from active officiating in 2019, after 37 years of service.

Hall officiated the IHSA state championship football game in 1988, 1989 and 1993. Joe was instrumental in developing the New Officials Classes for IACO for both football and basketball. Hall passed away in 2021.

Bob officiated the IHSA state championship game in football in 1988, 1989 and 1993. Foster was the Abe Glick Award Winner in 1992.

Hanania served as Secretary-Treasurer of the AOA basketball division in 1992. Bob won the prestigious Abe Glick Award in 1995. He served the AOA as a highly respected official in the sports of baseball, basketball, and football. Bob passed away in North Carolina in 2016

Dan was the 1976 award winner of the AOA’s Abe Glick Award. Mazzie was the Treasurer of the AOA from 1971 to 1975.

Schwind served the AOA as its Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1983-1986 and was the group’s Treasurer from 1976-1982. He was President of the AOA football division from 1974-1976 and vice-president from 1971-1973. Harold officiated high school football games for 31 years and has worked the chains on the sidelines for the Chicago Bears for more than 20 years. Schwind was the recipient of the Abe Glick Award in 1987.

A long-time IHSA Football and Softball official, John was an inductee into the Illinois Football Officials Hall of Fame. John passed away in 2015.

Ken refereed basketball for more than fifty years at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. Falkner officiated in the NBA from 1976-1979. Ken worked Division I college ball in the Big Ten, Metro and Midwest Collegiate Conferences. Falkner was vice-president of the AOA basketball division from 1974-1976. Ken was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association hall of Fame as an official in 2019.

Tomassi served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the AOA Executive Board in 1987 and Treasurer of the group from 1983-1986. Randy was a highly regarded basketball official.

Wayne officiated the IHSA state championship game in football in 1988, 1989 and 1993. Endicott was the Abe Glick Award Winner in 1988. Wayne served the football division of the AOA as its vice-president in 1978 and President in 1979-1980. Endicott was a high school football official for 41 years and his crew officiated 700 games together. For 25 years, he was a member of the Chicago Bears Chain Crew, serving as crew chief for six years. Endicott passed away in 2008.

Matheson served the AOA as football division President from 1971-1973. He was presented with the Abe Glick Award for football in 1988. Bill officiated the IHSA state championship football game in 1977, 1978 and 1980.

McIntyre was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the AOA from 1988-1992 and served as President of the AOA football division from 1986-1988. Dave officiated the IHSA football state title game three times, in 1991, 1992 and 1994. McIntyre was the 1990 recipient of the Abe Glick Award.

Ed Stanley served as Secretary of the Athletic Officials Association Board of Directors for 35 consecutive years from 1976-2010. Stanley officiated the IHSA state championship game in 1988, 1989 and 1993. Ed was the recipient of the AOA’s Abe Glick Award in 1993.

Nitti was the initial President of the AOA softball division when the group was founded in 1996 and remained in that capacity until 2000.

Pittges served the AOA as its football division President from 1966 to 1968 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1971-1973. Jack was Supervisor of Officials for the Arena Football League.

Jerry officiated for 43 years in Illinois, Wisconsin and Colorado and worked as a college crew chief for over 20 years in many conferences, including the Mid-Continent and Mid-American Conferences. Grunska officiated the first IHSA Class 5A state championship game in 1974 and returned to work the state title games in 1975 and 1978. The author of eight different officiating books and more than 300 officiating articles, Jerry’s works include Successful Sports Officiating, Evaluating Officiating Performance, and the Football Officials Guidebook. He was awarded the AOA’s Abe Glick Award in 1986. For his years of service to officiating, Grunska was inducted into College of Lake County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

Jim started officiating in 1971 and was a member of the AOA from 1971 through 1985. He officiated IHSA State Finals in basketball 1989, 1990, 1991; the IHSA state championship game in football 1983, 1984; and the IHSA state finals in baseball 1987, 1988; becoming only one of a handful of officials who ever reached the state finals in all three sports. Lapetina was a Big Ten referee and worked the 1995 Orange Bowl National Championship as a back judge. He officiated four Arena Bowl championships in 1989, 1990, 1995 and 2000, and received the All-American College Football Official of the Year Award in 2002. Lapetina continued his service to officiating as a replay official for the NFL and was assigned to Super Bowl XLIV and Super Bowl LIII in that capacity. Jim was Vice-President of the AOA football division in 1980 and 1981 and he was named to the Central Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2005 and an IBCA Hall of Fame Inductee in 2010.

A high school basketball official for 30 years, Justin was a staple being on all the big games in the Chicagoland area during the seventies and eighties. Fortuna worked the IHSA state finals in 1981, 1982 and 1984. He served as President of the AOA basketball division from 1971-1973. He was honored as the Abe Glick Award recipient in 1998, named to the Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame as an official in 1996, and inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002. Fortuna passed away in 2000.

Ken Trainor was consistent figure with the Athletic Officials Association as he was on the playing field, serving as secretary/treasurer of the football division for 21 consecutive years from 1968 through 1988. As a football official, Trainor gained the respect of fellow officials and coaches and was assigned to the IHSA state championship football game in 1977, 1978 and 1983. For his accomplishments to the AOA and for his achievements in officiating, Ken was awarded the prestigious Abe Glick in 1987. Trainor passed away in 2007.

Geske was inducted into the National Federation of High Schools National High School Hall of Fame as an official in 1982. The Norm Geske Award is annually awarded a first-year member official in the Northern Officials Association each year.

Serving as President of the AOA basketball division in 1969 and 1970 and vice-president of the AOA football division in 1967 and 1968, Ortho Kortz had a well-rounded officiating career. Kortz was a high school and college baseball umpire from 1955-1983; a high school and college basketball referee from 1954-1986; and a high school and Big Ten football official from 1969-1986. Ortho officiated the IHSA state basketball finals in 1970, 1971 and 1972; along with the 1978 Rose Bowl and the Pan-American Games. He was the Abe Glick Award winner in 1974. Kortz was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1990.

Ray Brooks had an influence on the AOA for nearly fifty years. He officiated the IHSA state finals in basketball in 1967, 1968 and in 1973. Ray served the AOA as its vice-president of the basketball division in 1969 and 1970, and during the 1980’s was the association’s basketball rules interpreter. Brooks officiated the IHSA state championship game in football in 1974, 1980 and 1982. Ray was a 1999 inductee into the Illinois Basketball Association Hall of Fame. Even after his officiating days were completed, Ray enjoyed being actively involved in the association, meeting new officials, and continuing his relationships with veteran officials. Brooks died in 2014 at the age of 94.

Ron Olesiak excelled at every level of basketball he officiated in a forty-plus year career. As a high school referee, he officiated the IHSA State finals in 1987. He continued his path to success by officiating division I basketball at the collegiate level. In 1988 he got the call to referee on basketball’s biggest stage – the NBA, a place where he would call home for the next 21 years. Olesiak called 1,127 regular season NBA games, 18 post-season games and the 2009 All-Star Game. Ron served as vice-president of the AOA basketball division in 1982 and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010.

Abe Glick was one of the founding fathers of the Athletic Officials Association of America, as it was originally known, serving as football vice-president in 1926 and secretary-treasurer of the basketball division for 47 consecutive years from 1936-1982, retiring from that position at the age of 93. He started officiating in 1920 and was a 65-year member of the AOA. Glick officiated the 1937 Chicago City Championship game between Austin and Leo High Schools, which was played in Soldier Field before an estimated crowd of 120,000 spectators. Glick passed away in 1986. The AOA gives an annual award in his name for outstanding contributions to officiating.

Connors was the 1985 Abe Glick Award winner. Maurice passed away in 2018 at the age of 103.