Heavy Heart

[APG]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I'm going on 50 next month and I've only attended 3 funerals in my lifetime. This upcoming week I'll be attending my 4th as the man who put me on the court for my first ever NCAA game died in an accident. He was a good guy who cared about the game and didn't feed you any bullcrap. You officials in VA & NC will start getting details I'm sure over the next few days. My prayers go out to his family and his best friend.

Sorry to hear BNR...I just received word about this a couple of days ago.

R.I.P.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Perhaps others of us know this person but just haven't heard the news. I'm sorry but is it a secret that he's passed away?

His obit took a few days to get published, so I didn't want put his name out before then.
Wayne Samford, supervisor of the USA South (Dixie Conference). He is also in the local softball HoF as a great softball player.

[JugglingReferee]

Sorry for your loss BNR.

[Lcubed48]

R. I. P., Mr. Wayne!!

It was a beautiful moving Memorial Service.

[Raymond]

USA South Mourns Loss of Wayne Samford - USA South

[JRutledge]

Chicago just lost an officiating and Chicago legend.

He worked D1 football in the Big Ten and D1 Basketball I believe at one time as well. He helped every official in the city of Chicago in some way. He worked several State Finals in both football and basketball as well. Everyone has an LT Bonner story if you worked with him or you ever met the man.

As a board member of the Central Officials Association, this is a huge loss for our association and the officiating community in Illinois and northern Illinois.

Please pray for his family and his friends in this loss.

Peace