Story coming on 70 year old official

[Mark Padgett]

Spoke with a local reporter from The Oregonian newspaper this morning and she informed me that a story she worked on about a 70 year old basketball official will run on March 17th. The guy is a friend of mine and I've worked numerous games with him over the years. Watching him work, you'd never guess he was anywhere near that age. He gets up and down the court like a 20 year old.

I think it will be a great tribute to him. BTW - there's another ref here in this area who is only one month younger than this guy. No, it's not me, but I'm getting close.

When the story runs, I'll see if I can provide a link.

[Jay R]

There's a 70 year old ref doing a Big East quarter final game right now. I wish he wasn't though.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Jay R

There's a 70 year old ref doing a Big East quarter final game right now. I wish he wasn't though.

How did I know it was Higgins?

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

How did I know it was Higgins?

Higgins is 65 I believe.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by fullor30

Higgins is 65 I believe.

A mere child.

[Rich]

Burr's working the second BE QF game. There's a token old guy on each crew, it appears.

[Mark Padgett]

Well - the story still hasn't run but the reporter told me today it finally got scheduled for this coming Saturday, March 24th. We'll see if it actually appears or not. If it does, I'll post the link.

BTW - there was something very ironic in The Oregonian newspaper this morning. The obituaries were in the "Living" section.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Well - the story still hasn't run but the reporter told me today it finally got scheduled for this coming Saturday, March 24th. We'll see if it actually appears or not. If it does, I'll post the link.

BTW - there was something very ironic in The Oregonian newspaper this morning. The obituaries were in the "Living" section.

More ironic is that the subject of the forthcoming story could be in one of those obits before the story finally runs.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Well - the story still hasn't run but the reporter told me today it finally got scheduled for this coming Saturday, March 24th. We'll see if it actually appears or not. If it does, I'll post the link.

BTW - there was something very ironic in The Oregonian newspaper this morning. The obituaries were in the "Living" section.

Funerals are for the living.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Spoke with a local reporter from The Oregonian newspaper this morning and she informed me that a story she worked on about a 70 year old basketball official will run on March 17th. The guy is a friend of mine and I've worked numerous games with him over the years. Watching him work, you'd never guess he was anywhere near that age. He gets up and down the court like a 20 year old.

I think it will be a great tribute to him. BTW - there's another ref here in this area who is only one month younger than this guy. No, it's not me, but I'm getting close.

When the story runs, I'll see if I can provide a link.

Sorry to be a story topper, does this guy work HS and Juco? I've reffed with a guy in Chicago area who is 72 and runs like a deer, looks like he's 50 and has a full Juco, Varsity schedule. A few more officials here over 70 that work big games.

Another official was 86 and still working

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by fullor30

Sorry to be a story topper, does this guy work HS and Juco?

I would guess that sort of information will be in the story, although I'm pretty sure he works HS. I wouldn't be surprised to see that he works at least 150 games a year.

[Mark Padgett]

Tigard basketball referee has been calling the shots for decades | OregonLive.com

[Mark Padgett]

The story also appeared in today's (Saturday) printed editions of the paper and the photo of Ray was on the front page of the neighborhood section.

BTW - he says he's had a day in which he worked 13 games. How old is this guy again?