Al Parker of Mondovi has officiated at various prep sports events all across the region for the past 50 years. His achievement was recently recognized by the WIAA with a certificate of appreciation to mark the rare occasion. Parker will begin his 51st season as a licensed WIAA official this fall, reffing football and basketball games.

Mondovi man honored for 50 years as WIAA official

 

by Beth Kraft

 

Al Parker has seen his fair share of local prep sports. In addition to coaching several sports at Mondovi, Parker recently completed his 50th year as a licensed WIAA official.

The Mondovi resident has marched the sidelines at hundreds of football, basketball and volleyball games and fired the gun at numerous track and cross country meets over the years, officiating events all across the Dunn-St. Croix, Big Rivers and Dairyland conferences.

“I enjoy the different situations,” said Parker of officiating. “It’s a lot of fun, and it’s very challenging.”

For his dedication and years of service, the WIAA recently honored Parker with a certificate to mark his 50 years.

“I was really quite surprised when I got it,” said Parker of receiving the framed certificate in the mail.

Parker noted he is accustomed to getting updated rulebooks from the WIAA around this time of year to read up on any changes prior to the start of the next sports season, but he certainly wasn’t expecting to open up the honor.

A 1955 graduate of Mondovi High School, Parker taught physical education, driver’s education and social studies at his alma mater for nearly 40 years beginning in 1961.

Parker was also the school’s athletic director for 19 years, coached boys track for 10 years and was a football assistant coach for 12 years.

He also coached the Buffaloes’ boys basketball team from 1962-64, during which his team reached Sectionals in 1963.

Wishing to further his involvement in athletics, Parker opted to take the steps to register as a WIAA official in 1965.

In addition to calling the shots at games all across the region, Parker and his crew also officiated at the WIAA state boys basketball tournament in 1977 and ‘78.

“That’s the ‘ultimate,’” said Parker of reffing at State. “That’s where all officials want to get.”

Back then, teams were split up by class (A, B, C) according to school population versus the five divisions the WIAA utilizes for basketball today, Parker noted.

High school athletics have changed a lot since Parker first picked up a whistle 50 years ago.

In football, player safety equipment has improved greatly, particularly helmets and facemasks to protect against concussions. Officials now wear black pants instead of white tapered knickers and officiating crews now consist of five referees instead of three for varsity competition.

In basketball, markings on the court and several rules have changed during Parker’s time as an official. The 3-point line was added, the “lack of action” line was eliminated and alternating possession has replaced the jump ball in all held ball situations. Additionally, glass backboards with breakaway rims have replaced metal backboards for safety reasons.

Parker also says the rise of girls sports following the implementation of Title IX was interesting to see during his time as an official.

Title IX requires all schools to provide equal opportunities in both girls and boys sports.

“It’s really made leaps and bounds forward,” said Parker of girls athletics, noting they are followed just as much as boys sports nowadays.

This fall, Parker will begin his 51st year as a football official. He also plans to return to the hardwood as a basketball official this winter after sitting out last season with a sore knee.

Parker isn’t exactly sure when he’ll hang up his striped jersey, but he plans to stay in the game as long as possible.

“We’re doing contracts for 2016,” he said with a chuckle. “As long as I feel good and as long as I can keep up, I’m going to keep on going.”

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