2007 Inductees
LeRoy Brungardt
1961 – 1988
Member of TOA
1968 – 1988
Served as TOA Officer
Received 6th Annual Greg Custenborder Award from the TOA in 81-82
Conducted the first KSHSAA area rules meeting on behalf of TOA for BB and FB for several years in late 70’s to early 80’s.
High School Officiating
Registered BB official 1961 – 1988
Registered FB official 1975 – 1987
Worked post season BB 20 years
Worked post season FB 12 years
Officiated around 13 state BB tourneys
Officiated 6 state FB championships
College Activity
1976 – 1995
Worked in KJCAA, Kansas Conference, Heart of America, CSIC & MIAA
Officiated 6 NAIA and Div. II playoff games including the NAIA 1985 National Championship in Conway, Arkansas
Hired by Big XII to be an observer of officials in 1997 and recently as a clock operator to the current date.
Helped conduct FB clinics for the KCOA and KJCCC
Alex Grieves
1954-1982
1954
Began refereeing Jr. High and High School football in Topeka area
1956
6 man football teams in the afternoon in small towns in NE Kansas
11 man football teams at night in the cities at bigger schools
Jr. High, High School, and small colleges (basketball) in Topeka area and
Salina
Late 1950’s
Worked half court girls basketball
1960’s
Worked the 3A High School State Basketball Tournament
Began working college football games in the MIAA
1970’s
Sub-State High School Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson
High School football State Playoffs
Continued working college football games in the MIAA
1978
Missed his only game scheduled to work in all 28 years due to an ice
storm in Kansas City
1982
Ended 28 years of refereeing women’s basketball, men’s basketball and
football on the Junior High, High School, and Collegiate levels
1954
Began refereeing Jr. High and High School football in Topeka area
1956
6 man football teams in the afternoon in small towns in NE Kansas
11 man football teams at night in the cities at bigger schools
Jr. High, High School, and small colleges (basketball) in Topeka area and
Salina
Late 1950’s
Worked half court girls basketball
1960’s
Worked the 3A High School State Basketball Tournament
Began working college football games in the MIAA
1970’s
Sub-State High School Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson
High School football State Playoffs
Continued working college football games in the MIAA
1978
Missed his only game scheduled to work in all 28 years due to an ice
storm in Kansas City
1982
Ended 28 years of refereeing women’s basketball, men’s basketball and
football on the Junior High, High School, and Collegiate levels
Rod McMaster
September 1964 to September 2006
Basketball High School Number of years worked: 19
District Tournaments: 7
Regional Tournaments: 10
Sub State Tournaments: 17
State Tournaments: 15 straight
College
Number of years worked: 17
Community College Post Season Tournament Assignments: 8
Community College Post Season Championship Games: 2
NAIA Post Season Tournament Assignments: 6
Football High School Number of years worked: 44
Playoff Assignments:
Bi-District (21)
District ( 9 )
Sectional ( 1 )
Sub-State (14)
State (11)
College
Community College Playoff Games: 14 -- which includes 3 Championship games
NAIA Playoff Games: 10 – which includes 1985 National Championship Game
NCAA Division Playoff Game: 1
Positions held at the High School Level
Vice President of Topeka Officials Association: 4 years
Secretary of the Topeka Officials Association: 4 years
Commissioner of The Centennial League: 7 years
Commissioner of The Delaware Valley League: 4 years
Positions held at the College Level
Big 12 Conference: Kansas Recruiting Coordinator, Technical Advisor, Replay Official & Clock Operator for 9 years
NFL: Scout Evaluator for 4 years
Bill Ridinger
I am very honored to receive this award. As I look back on my years of officiating, I want to tell you to enjoy your time as an official because it will go by very fast.
I first jointed the TOA in 1969. That was a very good year with Phil Laurie, Randy Gregg, Ken Epperson, John Deedrick and Larry Brinker all beginning at the same time.
I worked Football for 18 year and basketball for 19 years, working approximately 2700 basketball games at the junior high, high school and college levels.
Worked 12 State Basketball Tournaments including 3 Championship games.
Officiated games involving Tommy Meier, Mark Turgeon, Danny Manning, Steve Woodberry, Buster Douglas (FT Scott FB/Heavyweight Boxer) and Mel Grey (Ft Scott FB/St Louis Cardinals).
4 years TOA Secretary Treasurer. 4 years TOA President. Recipient of the Custenborder award 1984-1985.
Worked on the 4 R’s Football crew for many years: Rod (McMaster), (Jerry) Reichert, Randy (Gregg) and myself. Teamed with Rod McMaster in Basketball and had many memorable games with this great official.
My Mentors: Alex Grieves, Tom Lutz, Jim “Papa” Bell, Ed Custenborder and Don Brentlinger.
Worked my last 4 years of basketball with Mike Custenborder. Enjoyed working with this great ref.
My “war” stories:
First big break in football came in my first year when someone got sick. I filled in on Alex Grieves crew in a 3A games at Wamego. Took the field and found out I forgot my whistle. GREAT START!!
Worked a Northern Hills Junior High 7th grade Basketball game. Jump Ball rule was still in effect. I looked down before tossing up the ball and there was what I thought was a “milk dud” candy on the floor. Guess what, it wasn’t a milk dud when I tried to kick it off the gym floor. Larry Brinker was working the game with me.
A Thursday night sophomore game at Washburn Rural. Game was over and Dick Weller and I were undressing in the coaches office. I told Dick I would get the towels which were just outside the coaches office in the main locker room. It was the loudest click I have ever heard as the door closed and LOCKED behind me. Washburn Rural coach Bill Hefley forgot to inform us it was the last home game and they invite the parents, grandparents and other family members into the locker room for ice cream and cake.......Standing there in my birthday suit, I received a standing ovation.
In closing, I want you to take a few seconds to stop and look around the room. You will see some of the best people and friends you will ever know in your life.
And again, thank you for inducting me into the TOA Hall of Fame.