Bill Gomoluch has won numerous awards for being an umpire, official and referee over the years, but his latest one tops them all.
Gomoluch was named the recipient of the NAIA’s Larry Lady Officiating Award, which recognizes officials of outstanding moral character, quality officiating ability and who are held in high esteem by their colleagues, administrators and athletes.
“I’ve been fortunate,” said Gomoluch, a Deerfield resident. “I’ve won some awards and have been able to referee and officiate some big games, like the college world series, but this one probably tops all of those. It’s pretty prestigious.”
Gomoluch is in his 40th season as a referee of Michigan prep football and has had his hat in many areas over the years in Lenawee and Monroe County. He’s been a varsity head coach in softball, boys basketball and girls basketball, serves as an umpire, official or referee in everything from basketball to football to volleyball and is the chief scheduler of officials for several area schools, including all of the Lenawee County Athletic Association. He regularly puts on clinics to help young officials learn the trade.
He’s also been the supervisor of softball umpires for the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference for several years.
“When everything is at stake, Bill shows grace and humility with coaches, students, and fans alike to help ensure a strong experience for all involved,” said Laura Klutsarits, softball coach at Siena Heights University.
The award is named in honor of the former NAIA coordinator of officials for basketball, football and baseball.
Gomoluch has served as the NAIA’s National Coordinator and umpire-in-chief for the NAIA World Series for the past 14 years. During the past five years, he has also added the duty of Softball Resource Advisor to the NAIA. Since 2011, Gomoluch has been the Wolverine-Hoosier Conference supervisor of umpires while also coordinating officials at various NCAA Division II and III conferences.
The award is scheduled to be presented to Gomoluch at the NAIA national basketball championships in March in Kansas City.
Gomoluch said he got his start in the NAIA by umpiring games and worked his way into the coordinator role.
“It’s my job to assign all of the umpires for the NAIA World Series, all rounds,” he said.
Gomoluch umpired in the NAIA World Series from 2004 through 2007 and he continues to umpire in multiple collegiate conferences during the regular season. He has been assigned to numerous postseason games at all levels of the NCAA, including the Division I World Series Championship game in 2014.
“Bill’s professionalism is second to none,” said Rob Miller, WHAC commissioner. “His relationships with our coaches and athletic directors are so positive and the respect for him is real. I truly feel that Bill is one of the top people in the profession and one of the great people to receive this award.
“While showing his incredible commitment to the NAIA, he demonstrates the class and character in which this award is intended for.”
Gomoluch was also named the 2018 National Pro Fast Pitch Umpire of the Year.
“There was probably a pretty large pool of people who could have received this award,” Gomoluch said. “It’s across all sports so it’s nice to be recognized in this way. There are a lot of great officials in the NAIA.”
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