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.
2025 Awards
Congratulations to this year's honorees (listed below), who will be recognized at a brunch buffet sponsored by the NJSOA on September 14, 2025, at the Pines Manor in Edison. To attend this event, click here for more details - click here.
NFHS Section One Active Official Award
Jack Iliff (Cross Country, Track, & Swimming)
NJSOA Distinguished Service Awards
Sue Ashnault (Gymnastics)
Cindy Beradino (Girls Lacrosse)
Bob Nuse (Boys Lacrosse & Soccer)
NJSOA Official of Year Awards
Baseball - Joseph Marateo (Raritan Valley Umpires)
Baseball - Sean Trice (Hudson County Umpires)
Baseball - Corbin Chance (Tri-State Elite Umpires - TSEHSUA)
Baseball - William Fishman (Atlantic County Umpires)
Boys Basketball - Al Taliaferro (IAABO Board 33 North)
Boys Basketball - Ryan Curtis (Central East)
Boys Lacrosse - Harry Noel (NJILOA)
Boys Volleyball - Shawn Harris, Sr. (Northeast #2)
Cross Country - James Zaccone (Northeast)
Cross Country - Bob Kickish (Southern Bayshore)
Field Hockey - Sherry Popowski (Skyland)
Field Hockey - Maureen Dzwill (West #5)
Football - Joe Dziuba (North Jersey)
Girls Basketball - Brian Gates (IAABO Board 33 North)
Girls Basketball - Tanisha Cooley (Central East)
Girls Lacrosse - Krystalle Trumbetti (Northeast #2)
Girls Volleyball - Paul Aiello (Northeast #2)
Gymnastics - Kim Lisowski (Shore #4)
Gymnastics - Jeanne Devenney (Northeast #2)
Ice Hockey - Jonathon Cohen (NIHOA-Metro & South)
Soccer - Keith Robertson (Bergen County)
Soccer - Kirk Lecompte (Central Jersey)
Soccer - Tom McGregor (Passaic-Sussex)
Softball - Scott O'Brien (Raritan Valley Umpires)
Softball - Dominick Fargnoli (Northeast #2)
Softball - Ana Castellano (Hudson County Umpires)
Softball - John LaTorre (Atlantic County Umpires)
Swimming - Donald Banta (Northern)
Track & Field - Jill Ruebenacker (Northeast)
Track & Field - David Pfeifer (Southern Bayshore)
Track & Field - Ruth Wright (Central)
Wrestling - Wes Hutchinson (NJWOA - Southern)
Wrestling - Ed Glassheim (NJWOA – Union-Essex)
Wrestling - Bob Willman (NJWOA – Southern Shore)
And congratulations to the officials who have been recognized and honored by the NJSOA in previous years.
