You don’t often hear a crowd of sports fans cheer for a referee, but if you want to you can be a part of just that in September 2021 when four referees are inducted into the Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame.
With this year’s inductees, the HSOHOF now has 19 members. The Class of 2020 HSOHOF inductees are Jan Allen, Samuel Delos Reyes, Wayne Lee and Matt Sumstine. They will be celebrated for their long years of service toward helping Hawaii’s sporting community at an induction ceremony Sept. 5., 2021.
Organizers are holding off induction to more than a year from now due to the COVID-19 health crisis. According to HSOHOF President Cal Evans, nominations are being taken for the Class of 2021 and both classes will be inducted at the same time.
>> Jan Allen has been a soccer official for more than 46 years in youth leagues adult semi-pro competition and at the collegiate level, according to an HSOHOF news release. She is a member of the National Federation Soccer Rules Committee and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association soccer tournament committee. In addition, she founded the Hawaii Scholastic Soccer Federation Referees Association and served as president.
>> Samuel Delos Reyes officiated 33 years with the Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association and worked nine high school state title games, according to the release. He was also hired by the Western Athletic Conference (men) and Big West Conference (women) to work collegiate games. In 1989, he became the commissioner and assignor of the HSBOA and ran that organization for 15 years.
>> Wayne Lee is among the leaders in volleyball officiating as well as teaching and mentoring others in a 30-year career, according to the release. He currently works high school and collegiate matches and serves as the Aloha Region Officials chair and HHSAA volleyball officials coordinator. He worked with the University of Hawaii to establish that all officials be certified as USA Volleyball Junior or National referee status prior to becoming a collegiate official.
>> Matt Sumstine, a former on-field official, is Hawaii’s first to serve as an NFL replay official, according to the release. Prior to that assignment, he worked as a Western Athletic, Big 12 and Mountain West football on-field and replay official since 2005. He is also active as the HHSAA coordinator of officials and is the co-founder of many clinics throughout Hawaii. He is often asked to serve as a clinician in Texas and as far away as American Samoa. In addition, Sumstine runs a website dedicated to the education of football officials.
HAWAII SPORTS OFFICIALS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Class of 2020
> Jan Allen, soccer
>> Samuel Delos Reyes, basketball
>> Wayne Lee, volleyball
>> Matt Sumstine, football
Class of 2019
>> Louis O. Fuentes Jr., basketball
>> George Gusman, football
>> Dave “Koko” Mahukona
>> Herbert BS Minn
>> Wayne Ohashi
>> Joe Ornellas
>> Herbert Paleka, Jr.
Class of 2018
Jimmy Aiona, basketball
>> Roy Chong, football
>> Earl Galdeira, football
>> Leilani Okuda, softball
>>Pat Tanibe, basketball
>>Ray Verdonck, wrestling
>> Frank White, football
>> Hide Yamashita, softball and baseball
Top Stories
Related Post
Brain Tumor Did Not Stop Nebraska Commit Keonilei Akana
Nick Abramo Keonilei Akana was part of two Kamehameha state championship teams in three trips to the state final. (From
VIDEO: 2021 Hawaii High School Athletic Association Hall of Honor
The 12 Hawaii High School Hall of Honor selections for 2021 did not get a banquet and ceremony this year
A Quick Look Back At Some Incredible 1970s Marlboro High
Patty Miller. Say the name and just about anyone who went to Marlboro High School in the mid-1970s will remember
This Pigeon Racer Flew The Coop, Just Like Boston Bruins
This story is about a bird and so you may be wondering why in God’s name is that dunderhead writing
Punahou Is Plenty In ‘Tune’ For First ILH Boys Volleyball
During long dynasties, it’s odd to see a power-packed team going three years between league titles. But that’s how long
Maryknoll’s Conquest Of ‘Iolani Is Good For ILH Softball Title
Maryknoll got as far as it could possibly go Wednesday night, dropping ‘Iolani 11-1 in five innings by the 10-run
Kamehameha Awarded No. 1 Seed In ILH Baseball Tournament
This year, the ILH baseball championship is pretty simple. There’s no first-round (regular season) winner and second round (tournament) winner.
Punahou’s Shayna Lu And Hawaii Baptist’s Joshua Hayashida Are ILH’s
Joshua Hayashida and Shayna Lu have something new in common. They’ve both golfed since a young age and they are
Flex Seal’s Phil Swift Has NOTHING On Marlboro’s Bob Battaglino
I figure if Phil Swift can sell Flex Seal, my great friend Bob Battaglino can sell Core Lightning. And so
Excellent Cross Promotion: Nick Abramo Starts Freelance Gig With The
For the first time since 1989, I am back working in Central Mass. This time, it’s as a tele-journalist. So
Juxtaposing The Heaviness Of Nathan Beschen’s Cavernous Romp At Teahupoo
A lot of things can happen in 22 years. The excitement of something new more than two decades ago sometimes
COMMENTARY: Perhaps This Is The Most Important Thing You’ll Read
One of the greatest things of the 21st century so far, in my opinion, is the emphasis being placed on