[JRutledge]

I guess what is your consideration for the "olden days." In the 90s they used 4 person crews for much of the games in my state. It was in the mid to late 90s that 5 person became standard. But lower-level games having 3 officials (or 2) was common. But I am sure 3 were used at some time, just cannot tell you when. Most acted like they were always doing 4 for at least varsity and that goes back to the 80s and 70s from what I can remember.

Peace