Beginning in 2022, the New Jersey State Officials Association (NJSOA) created an awards program to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to interscholastic officiating while impacting student-athletes across the state of New Jersey.
Since there is a huge number of official chapters across all sports in New Jersey (96 total chapters), the association set up a three-year rotation for giving out awards, dividing all chapters into three sections based on size and geography. Most chapters will have an individual receive an award once every 3 years. Some of the very large chapters will have officials that receive awards every other year.
2026 Awards
Congratulations to this year's honorees (listed below), who will be recognized at a brunch buffet sponsored by the NJSOA on September 13, 2026, at the Pines Manor in Edison. Tickets to attend can be purchased here: Tickets | NJSIAA
NJSOA Distinguished Service Awards
Linda DuBois (Swimming)
Sharon Hughes (Volleyball)
Bill Milone (Track & Field)
Craig Yetman (Baseball)
NJSOA Official of Year Awards
Baseball - Ed Ahearn (Bergen County Umpires)
Baseball - Christopher Van Eerde (NJ Federation Umpires - NJSFU)
Baseball - Joe Galayda (Skyland Umpires)
Baseball - George Sanders (South Jersey Umpires - SJU)
Basketball (Boys) - Scharkner Michaud (IAABO Board 193 -Central)
Basketball (Boys) - Gerry Novak (IAABO Board 196 South - Old Cum-Cape)
Basketball (Boys) - Jason Smith (IAABO Board 34 Camden)
Basketball (Girls) - Kevin Krisak (IAABO Board 193 Central)
Basketball (Girls) - Jenielle Bailey (IAABO Board 196 South - Old Cum-Cape)
Basketball (Girls) - Kim Orfe (IAABO Board 34 Camden)
Cross Country - Thomas Harrington (Capital)
Cross Country - Grace Goble (Shore)
Fencing (Boys) - Kayleb Hickson (NJ Interscholastic - NJIFOA)
Fencing (Girls) - Josie Fusco (NJ Interscholastic - NJIFOA)
Field Hockey - Suzanne Stout (Central)
Field Hockey - Jim Cosgrove (Northwest #1)
Football - John Wolcott (South Jersey)
Gymnastics - Wendy Picioccio (Central)
Ice Hockey - Mark Labe (NIHOA-Metro & South)
Lacrosse (Boys) - Derek Pukash (NJ Interscholastic - NJILOA)
Lacrosse (Girls) - Kathy Caira (West #5)
Soccer - John Livernois (Raritan Valley)
Soccer - Jeffrey Simonetti (South Jersey)
Softball - Hank Teel (Bergen County Umpires)
Softball - Jim Revel (NJ Federation Umpires - NJSFU)
Softball - Hank McClary (Skyland Umpires)
Softball - Bob Mannino (West #5)
Swimming - Steve Czelusniak (Central Jersey)
Swimming - Robert Binz (South)
Track & Field - James Craig Wood (Capital)
Track & Field - Wally Smith (Shore)
Volleyball (Boys) - Tim Grimes (South Jersey)
Volleyball (Girls) - Kenneth Reynolds (South Jersey)
Wrestling - Stuart Kohn (NJWOA – Central)
Wrestling - T.J. Juchnewich (NJWOA – Northeast)
And congratulations to the officials who have been recognized and honored by the NJSOA in previous years.
