The Trumbull County Sports Hall of Fame will induct 12 new members during enshrinement ceremonies on Sunday, October 30 at DiVieste’s Banquet Center, 754 North River Road, N.W., Warren.
The organization’s 19th class includes Brian Beinecke (football), the late George A. Bollas (wrestling), Vanness “Van” Brandon (football), Tony Davis (football), Bill Dreier (contribution to sports, official), Nia Grant (volleyball), Larry Kempe (football, coach), the late Richard Raidel (football), Tom Raphtis (football), Bob Todd (golf, coach), Dan Williams (football, coach) and Mandy Zolciak Willis (basketball).
A noted area sports official, this year’s contribution to sports honoree has been a local arbiter working baseball, fast-pitch softball, soccer and volleyball since the mid-1980’s.
Born January 4, 1944, in Lancaster, Ohio, he is a 1962 graduate of Lancaster High School, earning his undergraduate degree from Ohio University in 1967 (BS in Math, BA in Economics with High School Teaching Certification) and two post-graduate degrees, the first from Youngstown State University (MBA in Management and Marketing) in 1975 and then from Kent State University (AS in Electrical engineering Technology, ASQ: Certified Quality Engineering, Reliability Engineering and Quality Auditing) in 1983.
While in high school he ran track for the Golden Gales, lettering three years when running the mile, half-mile and quarter-mile relay. He finished 1/10th of a second off the school record in the half-mile and despite suffering shin splints his senior season, was nominated for “Track Athlete of the Year.”
While an undergraduate at Ohio University, he was a member of the varsity wrestling team for three years (despite the fact he had never wrestled competitively in high school) before breaking his leg and not participating his senior season.
He began his officiating career when he became a USSF licensed official in 1986, working until 2019 by overseeing baseball games and tournaments in Hudson, Diamond, the Boardman Men’s League, Howland Men’s and Women’s League, Austintown Youth League, State League, YAYSL and Salem Latino League.
Indoor leagues that requested his services include Farmer Jim’s, Niles Wellness and leagues in both Struthers and Salem.
For eight years, he volunteered his scheduling services for the HAC COLT and PONY Baseball Leagues, scheduling umpires for the local fast-pitch softball league as well.
He coached his four children during their youth soccer, baseball and softball participatory years in the HAC and YAYSL, posting multiple league titles and tournament championships without ever incurring a losing season.
A past-President and V.P. of the NOISOA (Northern Ohio Indoor Soccer Officials Association), he has also volunteered as a trainer and scheduler for the Howland Athletic Club for over 25 years, training 20-30 new referees every year while scheduling 350-plus games a season.
A certified USSF mentor-administrator for 10 years, he holds a “D” license in USSF soccer and was voted a lifetime trustee for the HAC.
From 1992-2022, he has served as an OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) soccer referee, working between 50 and 80 boys and girls contests each fall.
He has worked over 200 Sectional, District and Regional scholastic soccer games across the state, served as President of the Mahoning Valley Soccer Officials Association for six years, is their past-President (six years) and currently serves as V.P. of the Trumbull County Soccer Officials Association.
A certified soccer instructor, he was selected to referee St. Ignatius High School when they were ranked No. 1 in the nation.
An OHSAA volleyball official the past four years, from 2001-22 he has served as an OHSAA baseball and fast-pitch official, remains licensed by the ASA/USA, NSA, PONY and “AA” Leagues and from 2007-10, worked four PONY – he worked more games than any official in 2008, worked the plate for the 2009 quarter-finals and first base during the semi-final round in 2010 – national tournaments and multiple Little League contests.
A former member of the Warren Road Runners, he remains all about community service as he has donated 23 gallons of blood over the years to the American Red Cross.
He is married to the former Renee Slemons and they are the proud parents of four children: Allison (Paul) Opferman, Susie, Billy and Lexi.
They have three grandchildren, Liam Dreier, and Alex and Masan Opferman.
He resides in Howland.
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