ELY- An Ely-based team of referees provided the rules expertise for the final Minnesota state football championship game of the playoffs on Dec. 3, and four of the five have strong Ely connections.
The referee team was led by “White Cap” head referee Tom McDonald, an Ely High School social studies teacher. The other team members included Ely High School math teacher Tim Omerza, retired Ely teacher Darren Visser, Hibbing High School science teacher Jay Wetzel, who grew up in Ely, and Grand Rapids CPA Brad Zumbaum.
They officiated over the Mt. Iron-Buhl vs. Spring Grove game, which was the championship game in the nine-man division.
“I was super nervous,” said McDonald. “It was a lot of pressure. You don’t want to mess up at a state championship game, but we did well.”

“Once in a lifetime”
McDonald has been a referee for 32 years and the white cap for a referee crew for the last 12, and he has submitted applications to officiate in the quarter, semi and final games of the state football championships.
“We refed a semi-final last year,” McDonald explained, “and we did well. We were told that we would have a chance for a final this year, which is what happened.”
McDonald mentioned that for him, the experience of a state championship for his team of referees was important. In that respect, he succeeded if the reactions of his referee colleagues were any indication.
“This was a once in a lifetime thing,” stated Omerza. “It was neat being on the field where the Vikings play at U.S. Bank Stadium.”
“We were fortunate to be chosen,” remarked Vissel. “It was a lot of fun, and it was also a huge honor. Our crew works hard to stay up on the rules and to do our best for the kids.”

The crew
Five years ago, Visser retired from teaching at Washington Elementary School in Ely after 22 years. He didn’t stop refereeing when he retired.
“The five of us have been together for around five years, and most of us have been together for about eight years,” Visser said.
McDonald also referees junior college games, which is where he encountered Zumbaum, the most recent addition to the crew.
“Brad Zumbaum first found his way onto our college crew,” McDonald explained. “Those of us who referee sports in the region get to know each other, which is how we got to know him, and that’s how he became part of our high school crew.”
McDonald and Omerza do more than referee football games. The two are also the coaches for the Ely Hoop Club basketball program for boys at Memorial High School on Saturdays during the winter months.

What it takes to ref
To become a referee for high school sports, an individual must apply with the Minnesota State High School League, which determines if someone is eligible to referee competitive high school interscholastic sports, including basketball, baseball, football, soccer, ice hockey, lacrosse, softball, track, golf, volleyball and wrestling. The MSHSL insists that it does not certify referees, rather, it determines eligibility.
To be eligible, applicants must complete a background check, complete a concussion training course and pass an exam on sports rules. Every year, a referee must also attend refresher concussion training, a rules refresher and changes meeting and pass another rules test to remain eligible.
After becoming eligible, an individual will typically join the regional referee organization for his or her chosen sport. The referee team that went to the state championships from Ely are members of the Range Coaches and Officials Organization, according to McDonald.