Sam Gruneisen Award
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The Sam Gruneisen Award is the most prestigious award presented by the Kentuckiana Football Officials Association. It is named for the late Sam Gruneisen, one of the founders of the KFOA and one of the greatest officials ever to work in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Sam officiated in the old Fall Cities Football Officials Association and in the Kentuckiana Football Officials Association for twenty-three years, 1944-1966. He was one of the best officials of the time. Sam was very conscientious about his appearance on the field, and his mechanics knowledge and rules application. He was dedicated to the FCFOA and the KFOA, helping in any way he could. He was a constant mentor to the young officials, working with them on and off the field. After his retirement, he became the clock operator at Manual Stadium, a job he held until his unfortunate death. His dedication to the profession is why this award was created in his name.
This award was first presented in 1970, and is currently presented annually to the one KFOA Class C member who best exemplifies the spirit and character of Sam Gruneisen, and the personal attributes that made Sam a great official.
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Previous Gruneisen Award Winners
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1970, Bill Brown
1971, Paul Schmitt
1972, Pat Leahy
1973, Dale Gentry
1974, George Mercker
1975, Karl Schmitt, & Curt Davis
1976, Don Metzger
1977, Sid Hunter
1978, Bob Parker
1979, Bill Fryrear
1980, Rich Streicher
1981, Carl Klusman
1982, Bill Spath
1983, Bill Denton, & Tom Lenahan
1984, Jim Osting, Jack Thompson, Pete Mattingly, & Carl "Heavy" Huber
1985, Billy Dewees
1986, Wes Lillie
1987, Oscar "Fritz" Graas
1988, Clarence Bell
1989, Steve Ishmael
1990, William "Chick" DeSensi
1991, Tim Shreve
1992, Ken "Butch" Stovall
1993, John Passafiume
1994, Danny Doyle
1995, Tom Weber
1996, Roy Potts
1997, Jim Gutterman
1998, Steve Van Bogaert
1999, Steve Joest
2000, Mike Nelligan
2001, Nick Cline, & Chuck Russ
2002, Phil Faust
2003, Gil Downs
2004, Tommy Walsh
2005, Stan Weihe
2006, Tony Backert
2007, Matt Austin
2008, Ron Sherrard
2009, ????
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The Howard Turley President's Award
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This award is named after the late Howard Turley, a member of the KFOA Hall of Fame and one of the finest Umpires in the history of the organization. Howard was a former University of Louisville football player. Howard was a "gentle giant" - a man who commanded respect both on and off the field both because of his physical size (he was a big man) and the honorable way in which he treated other human beings. Howard also had a huge heart, and was always concerned about others.
This is a special award bestowed by the outgoing President of the KFOA to the member that he believes exhibited the strongest commitment to the KFOA during the previous year and who best exemplified the character of Howard Turley.
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Previous "Howard Turley President's Award" Winners
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1998, Carl Klusman
1999, Ron Sherrard
2000, Steve Ishmael
2001, Chris Luvisi
2002, Stan Weihe
2003, Steve Joest
2004, Pat Callahan
2005, Jon S. Dawson
2006, Carl Klusman
2007, Bruce Colpo
2008, Jon S. Dawson
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Mike Schmitt Rookie of the Year Award
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A 1968 graduate of Flaget High School, Mike Schmitt parlayed his dedication, discipline and burning desire as a prep and college football player into a budding career in officiating. A two-way starter as a senior, Mike earned all state honors at tight end and helped lead Flaget to a state title while breaking Paul Horning’s extra point record as a place kicker. Mike went on to a record-setting kicking career at the University of Cincinnati, making 44 of 47 PATs and 15 of 21 field goal attempts while earning playing time at defensive end and tight end. It was at old Cardinal Stadium that Mike enjoyed his best moments in football. In the ’67 state championship game, he intercepted a lateral and raced 21 yards for a TD to seal Flaget’s 21-0 victory. In his college finale, Mike connected on a career long, 44-yd field goal late in the game as the Bearcats beat UL 19-16.
Mike started his career with the KFOA in 1975. He loved it from the start. He could not get enough officiating assignments! Mike moved quickly to a freshman and JV schedule in addition to his almost daily schedule of little league games. The lives of Mike and his beloved wife Barbara were tragically cut short by a drunken driver in 1976.
In 1977 the Kentuckiana Football Officials Association created the “Mike Schmitt Rookie of the Year Award” in his honor. It is presented to the first year “rookie” official who best exemplifies Mike Schmitt’s dedication, discipline and desire to excel as a football official.
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Previous Mike Schmitt Rookie of the Year Award Winners
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1976, Tony Backert
1977, Bob McGrath
1978, John McGrath
1979, Bob Davidson
1980, Tony Martin
1981, Dave McGinty
1982, Steve Joest
1983, Terry Miller, & Pete Trimer
1984, Bob Mefford
1985, Knox Lewis
1986, Jeff Thompson
1987, Carroll Payne
1988, Charles "Scooter" Laughead
1989, Bill Davis
1990, Gary Cushing
1991, Jim Mohr
1992, Guy Conces, & Jay Gutterman
1993, Greg Brey
1994, Miguel Zamora
1995, Wayne Fugatte
1996, Robert Pinto
1997, David Seewer
1998, Tom Hoffman, Jr.
1999, Don Blocker
2000, Ron Bullitt
2001, Mike Garrett
2002, Paul Schardein
2003, Darren Brey
2004, Greg Hamilton
2005, Jeff Dunaway
2006, Rick Obst
2007, Bill Humphrey
2008, Jason Duckworth
2009, ????
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Awards