RefStripes.com
Football Officiating => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ralph Damren on October 24, 2025, 09:54:58 AM
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The United Nations were chartered and I came to town. As a new octogenarian, I will be working my last regular-season game tonight
(Old Town HS vs Wells HS.. for those of you that are hi-tech and nothing better to do). I also will be retiring from my position as state interp. and Maine rep. on NFHS Football Rules Committee as of Jan. 2026. I strongly feel that an active official should hold those positions.
I plan to still keep my eyes on our forum and like Elvis and others, be an "archair QB, offer shuch sage advice as :"NAH, ya' shoulda' done this in lieu of that :)" or "NAH, ya' shoulda'done that in lieu of thsi :) ".
OTHER HAPPENINGS IN 1945...
WW II ends with Japan surrender
NFHS new rules:
Allow the use of 3" dirt tee for free kicks,Penalty for discarding use of head protector is loss of 5 yards.
WHAT THINGS COST:
New house $4,600
New car : S 1,020
Gallon of gas : $0.15
Postage stamp : $ 0.03
Loaf of bread: $ 0.09
WHAT WE MADE :
Annual income : $2,400
Minimum wage : $ 0.40/hour
HS football official in Maine : $5.00 (no mileage)
^good ^no ^TD varsity games -3 man crew
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Happy Birthday Ralph
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Quite the accomplishment, Ralph. Not sure I'll be able to claim to work a game as an octogenarian (7 more seasons for that to happen). So, be proud of your service to the game and the players. And be proud of your service to RefStripes, and all football officials.
Yes, no reason for you to disappear. Your experienced counsel and guidance will remain of great value.
Treat yourself to some lobster!
Robert Cameron
Lubbock, Texas
(I'll be eating a cow. ;D)
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Happy Birthday Ralph
aWaRd pHiNzuP aWaRd pHiNzuP aWaRd pHiNzuP aWaRd
Seven man crew.
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Happy Birthday, Ralph and congratulations on an amazing career!
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Happy Birthday Ralph. Have enjoyed your posts on refstripes and the defunct NFHS forum. Keep on with your stories with Bubba etc...
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Thanks, guys, for the kind words and wishes and ,Elvis, I also perfer cow over lobster eAt& as I don't enjoy fighting (cracking shells and such) with my food. ;) Ive been told that I'm to be interviewed on WABI-TV's 6PM news tonight :!#...OH WELL... yEs:
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Good Luck tonight, Ralph, I'm hoping you will keep an eye on REFSTRIPES and adding your observations & suggestions. My whistle ran out of gas at the end of the 2024 season, and I've appreciated your "New England" input for a number of years & hope to see it continue. Again, Best of Luck tonight & in many years to come.
Too bad both my Yankees and your "Other Team" will be watching TV for the rest of this baseball season, but there's always "Next Year".
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Hope you had the HapHapHappiest of Birthdays, Ralph! aWaRd tiphat: ^good
I’ll miss getting the “inside scoop” on the RC going-ons, and hope that you’ll continue to provide us with updates through your contacts.
And, if you get the itch to travel to warmer climes, we’ll put you to work here, where we’re still wearing short-sleeve shirts!
Jim Rosenfeld
Tuscaloosa, AL
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My last game, last night, went great. Our assigner had notified the home team and they had their PA announce my retirement and the home coach presented me with their helmet, signed by all the players, at the coin toss. We have the head coaches come out with their captians for the toss. Our parking lot is behind the visitor's sideline and I asked the visiting coach if he could secure the home's helmet on his bench and I would pick it up on my way out of town. He responded that it would be kept safe from his players and agreed. yEs:
The live TV interview only went for two minutes, but the reporter filmed a 5 minute piece to be played at a future halftime of a playoff game. I phoned our assigner just a few minutes ago to request my name be removed from any post-season assignments and to thank him for his involvment in last night's game.
We all can dream that our last game ends on a good note. Last night my dream came true. :bOW
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Congratulations on your retirement and an outstanding career. I had the pleasure of you being my clock operator once in the state of Maine for a Bowdoin College game. You were a gentleman and the epitome of professionalism. You can still be a mentor for younger officials. Enjoy your new role as observer and kibitzer.
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Thanks, guys, for the kind words. We had our annual "Referees' Prom" with our wives last Friday and was greeted with a retirement cake, video and a plaque from NFHS honoring my years of service. If any of you are really bored, the Bangor Daily News (10/30 edition) had a nice article on my retirement - musta' been a slow sports day!!
Each day begins with : (1) walking our hunting dawg, (2) coffee, (3) joining you guys to see what's hot and not and deciding if I agree. Thanks for being there. I'm still referee -from my easy chair - cheer/ jeer on the calls in Patriot games.
Enjoy the holiday season tiphat:
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Nice article, Ralph, and a decent picture! Many congrats, and many thanks for your service! ^good