Award Recipients

ATHLETIC OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION “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

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)

ATHLETIC OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION “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

2021 Sam Houseworth (Football)
2021 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)

ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION “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

2018-2019 Bill Musrush (Baseball)
2018-2019 Ronald Ritter (Girls Basketball)
2017-2018 Ted Lepucki (Football)
2013-2014 Bob Copas (Baseball)
2013-2014 Octavio Herrera (Football)
2013-2014 Chris Schaefer (Softball)
2011-2012 Sal Vasta (Girls Basketball)
2011-2012 Bob Jenkins (Baseball)
2006-2007 Dave Alstadt (Baseball)
2006-2007 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)

ATHLETIC OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION “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