2014-15 North Dakota Officials Association Hall Of Fame Inductees

VALLEY CITY, ND (September 25, 2014) –The North Dakota Officials Association (NDOA) announces the 45th induction class to the 2014-15 Hall of Fame as determined at its recent Board of Directors Meeting.  The inductees will be recognized and receive awards at various North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) events during the 2014-15 school year.

Jeff Hamre - Leonard

Hamre is a forty-year veteran of basketball officiating.  Jeff officiated in 10 boys’ and 10 girls’ state tournaments over the years and blew the whistle in over 40 region basketball tournaments.  In addition to officiating, Jeff was a teacher and recruiter.  He was responsible for organizing the first North Dakota “officiating camps” held at NDSU.  Jeff spoke to many college officiating classes telling them the joys of refereeing.  Hamre was also a leader among officials, being named President of the NDOA Board of Directors six times during his tenure.

John Muckenhirn – Oakes

Muckenhirn started officiating boys and girls basketball in 1976 and football in 1991.  Over his thirty-two year career, he officiated in 10 Class B Girls State Basketball Tournaments, 8 Class B Boys State Basketball Tournaments, and was the white hat for two Football State Championships.  In addition to state tournaments, he officiated in 45 region basketball tournaments in his career.  John served as a role model to young officials, showing that hard work and the drive to always improve, makes a great official.

Jerry Stigman – Fargo

During the 1980s and 1990s, Jerry was one of the top basketball, baseball, and football officials in the Upper Midwest.  It was on the football field where Jerry earned most of his notoriety.  During his 38 years as a football official, Stigman refereed in six North Dakota State Football Championships, serving as the white hat in two of them.  Jerry was also a very accomplished college official, working in the NCC for 18 years, culminating in the 1994 Division II National Championship game.

The NDOA has inducted 124 officials into its Hall of Fame since the inaugural class in 1965.  Plaques commemorating all Hall of Fame members are housed in the North Dakota Athletic Hall of Fame, located inside the Jamestown Civic Center.