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.
Congratulations to the following officials who were recognized and honored by the NJSOA on September 15, 2024 at the Pines Manor in Edison. For more details about the event - click here.
NFHS National Active Official Award
Robert Csigi (Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball)
NFHS Section One Active Official Award
Lynne Clemente (Gymnastics)
NJSOA Distinguished Service Awards
Robert Byrnes (Cross Country / Track)
Gary Kessel (Wrestling)
Allison Munch (Softball)
NJSOA Official of Year Awards
Baseball - Jim Conover (Atlantic County Umpires)
Baseball - Gary Giackette (NJ Federation Umpires)
Baseball - Chris Parkhill (NJSBUA)
Baseball - Gary Schmitt (South Jersey Umpires)
Basketball - Troy Stevenson (IAABO Board 193 (Central)
Basketball - John Scoras (IAABO Board 194 - Shore)
Basketball - Alveno Smith (IAABO Board 34 - Camden)
Cross Country - Ken Adams (Capital)
Cross Country - Jonathan Losche (Northeast)
Fencing - Ralph Bellantoni (NJIFOA)
Field Hockey - Penny Vaccarino (Central)
Field Hockey - Diane Brown (Northwest #1)
Football - Jim Conte (North Jersey)
Football - Owen Morris (South Jersey)
Gymnastics - Diane Tucker (Northeast #2)
Ice Hockey - Matt McNulty (NIHOA-Metro)
Lacrosse (Boys) - Aaron Schaffel (NJILOA)
Lacrosse (Girls) - Linda Tomkiewicz (Shore)
Soccer - Tony Procopio (Atlantic-Cape-Cumberland)
Soccer - Ken Hoffman (Bergen County)
Soccer - Thomas Amos (South Jersey)
Softball - Joseph Fussner Jr. (Atlantic County Umpires)
Softball - Tony Montervino (Delaware Valley Umpires)
Softball - Micky Evers (NJ Federation Umpires (NJSFU)
Softball - Anthony Matarazzo (NJSBUA)
Swimming - Raymond Herrmann (Shore)
Tennis - Sam Miles (NJ High School (NJHSTOA)
Track - Anthony Genovesi (Capital)
Track - Paul Cordero (Northeast)
Volleyball (Boys) - William (Scott) Scragg (South Jersey)
Volleyball (Girls) - Edward Marion (South Jersey)
Wrestling - Evan Wyatt (NJWOA – Northwest)
Wrestling - Ronald Jones (NJWOA – Union-Essex)
And congratulations to the following officials who have been recognized and honored by the NJSOA in previous years.
