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Author Topic: Familiar name in Referee Mag  (Read 15039 times)

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Offline bossman72

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Familiar name in Referee Mag
« on: March 09, 2026, 11:23:54 AM »
I was catching up on my referee magazines and saw our friend Ralph featured in an article. See image below.

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Offline ElvisLives

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2026, 12:18:54 PM »
Atta boy, Ralph!

Robert Cameron
Lubbock, Texas
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Offline sczeebra

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2026, 04:10:57 PM »
One of the best ones on here!
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Offline Matt

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2026, 07:02:01 PM »
Kudos Ralph! Always look forward to reading your comments because I never know what I may learn, be it about football or your particular corner of New England.
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Offline dammitbobby

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2026, 07:14:27 PM »
Quote from: Matt on March 09, 2026, 07:02:01 PM
Kudos Ralph! Always look forward to reading your comments because I never know what I may learn, be it about football or your particular corner of New England.

I second this, glad to see you get honored for all you've given to the games.
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Offline AlUpstateNY

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2026, 02:59:32 PM »
Congratulations Ralph, and welcome to the "Bench".  Thank you for your practical insight to the actual, and practical, mechanics of this wonderful game, which provides so much enjoyment to so many.  I hope you'll continue to share your experiences, and suggestions.  Although the game is subject to continual modification and revision, it has remained basically constant in it's primary objective of providing a constant objective and flow to it's primary intent, a useful and productive physical environment to satisfy the needs of our youth.

I have no doubt you'll continue to share your concerns, suggestions, cautions & enjoyment of our game and look forward to your continued insight and experience.  Thanks for your pertinent insight and I look forward to continued years of your valuable insight and experience.
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Offline Grant - AR

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2026, 03:49:03 PM »
That's awesome, Ralph!  Congratulations on an amazing career!
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Online Ralph Damren

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2026, 09:29:15 AM »
Thanks, guys, for the kind words  :) . I've been lost in space (couldn't log on) for the last few days and couldn't respond. IMHO, the 'fainfare' I've recieved is mostly about my last game being on my 80th birthday. I believe it was Pope Gregory that re-wrote our current calander, so I can blame him  :bOW . At our NFHS rules meeting, an editor of Referee Mag. dropped off several copies to me. I've been called several @#$%&* things before, but never a "Maine Legend"  ::).
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Offline ElvisLives

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2026, 09:44:04 AM »
Quote from: Ralph Damren on March 11, 2026, 09:29:15 AM
Thanks, guys, for the kind words  :) . I've been lost in space (couldn't log on) for the last few days and couldn't respond. IMHO, the 'fainfare' I've recieved is mostly about my last game being on my 80th birthday. I believe it was Pope Gregory that re-wrote our current calander, so I can blame him  :bOW . At our NFHS rules meeting, an editor of Referee Mag. dropped off several copies to me. I've been called several @#$%&* things before, but never a "Maine Legend"  ::).

Be PROUD, my friend, be PROUD! The respect and honor is earned and deserved.
May God bless you and you family.
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Offline NVFOA_Ump

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2026, 09:45:57 AM »
Quote from: Ralph Damren on March 11, 2026, 09:29:15 AM
Thanks, guys, for the kind words  :) . I've been lost in space (couldn't log on) for the last few days and couldn't respond. IMHO, the 'fainfare' I've recieved is mostly about my last game being on my 80th birthday. I believe it was Pope Gregory that re-wrote our current calander, so I can blame him  :bOW . At our NFHS rules meeting, an editor of Referee Mag. dropped off several copies to me. I've been called several @#$%&* things before, but never a "Maine Legend"  ::) .


Thanks for all that you've contributed for NFHS, the State of Maine officiating, and on this discussion board.  Congratulations and kudos well deserved.
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It's easy to get the players, getting 'em to play together, that's the hard part. - Casey Stengel

Offline toma

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2026, 12:46:51 PM »
Ralph, Thank you for all you have done. you make it a joy to read your posts. :bOW You keep us informed in the best way.
You are the best aWaRd
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Offline Tom.OH

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2026, 03:52:56 PM »
Quote from: Ralph Damren on March 11, 2026, 09:29:15 AM
Thanks, guys, for the kind words  :) . I've been lost in space (couldn't log on) for the last few days and couldn't respond. IMHO, the 'fainfare' I've recieved is mostly about my last game being on my 80th birthday. I believe it was Pope Gregory that re-wrote our current calander, so I can blame him  :bOW . At our NFHS rules meeting, an editor of Referee Mag. dropped off several copies to me. I've been called several @#$%&* things before, but never a "Maine Legend"  ::).

Congratulations on a remarkable career.  Keep posting here about Bubba, the prom queen, the prom queens mom...
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Offline bama_stripes

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2026, 08:27:27 AM »
Quote from: toma on March 11, 2026, 12:46:51 PM
Ralph, Thank you for all you have done. you make it a joy to read your posts. :bOW You keep us informed in the best way.
You are the best aWaRd

Ditto.  Although we’ve never met, I consider you one of my closest officiating colleagues and resources.

Thanks!

Jim Rosenfeld
Tuscaloosa, AL
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Offline FLAHL

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2026, 08:46:04 AM »
Signing back in after a few years absence to say Congrats Ralph!  Remembering all of the times we had interesting or difficult discussion on this site and thinking to myself "Let's see what Ralph has to say, and then we'll know."

I wish you many more years of enjoyment in your retirement.

(For those of you who might remember me, I haven't officiated since 2020.  I still can't watch a game on tv or in person without counting the offense.  Good luck to all of you.)
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Online Ralph Damren

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2026, 12:43:14 PM »
Thank you deeply guys for the kind words and glad to hear from you ,FLAHL, and find that you are still checking in. We had our first baseball meeting this past Sunday and was asked to recall a favorite memory as this will be my last season. I'm recalling such on the General Board under 'NEVER SAY NEVER'. I don't believe I've posted it here before...BUT a mark of senility is forgeting what you have done  :).
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Offline NVFOA_Ump

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #15 on: March 13, 2026, 12:22:27 PM »
Quote from: Ralph Damren on March 12, 2026, 12:43:14 PM
...BUT a mark of senility is forgeting what you have done  :) .


 :thumbup
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It's easy to get the players, getting 'em to play together, that's the hard part. - Casey Stengel

Offline Ia-Ref

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #16 on: March 19, 2026, 05:41:34 PM »
I can't count the number of times I used your writings as a reference in discussions without giving you credit.
Our state reps knew of you though.

I really need a new pair of shoes but I think every year could be my last and hate to make the investment.
How long ago did you stop buying new equipment?
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"Because you can referee wrong, make a mistake, but what you can not do is create your own sense of justice and, even worse, invent a very personal application of the rules."   Dutch legend (soccer coach) Johan Cruyff

Online Ralph Damren

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Re: Familiar name in Referee Mag
« Reply #17 on: March 27, 2026, 01:40:44 PM »
Quote from: Ia-Ref on March 19, 2026, 05:41:34 PM
I can't count the number of times I used your writings as a reference in discussions without giving you credit.
Our state reps knew of you though.

I really need a new pair of shoes but I think every year could be my last and hate to make the investment.
How long ago did you stop buying new equipment?
As I recall, my last purchase of equipment was two years age, when I got a new whistle. Where it still works, I can use it in training our new puppy that we are picking up shortly. Buying new shoes possibly be used for other events such as walking thru mud-puddles,etc. I assume you are from Iowa and was good friends with Todd THarp while he served. Thanks for the kind words.
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