From Left to Right: Bruce Ludwig, Kent Pauling, and Steve Wick of Le Mars, Ray Gibler of Orange City and Craig Schniederman of Rock Rapids.
(Le Mars) — Remsen St. Mary’s Hawks and West Sioux Falcons were not the only football representatives from northwest Iowa that were on the field at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls for the state football tournament. An officiating crew, with three members from Le Mars, also made an appearance as they were chosen to referee a semi-championship game held last week. Steve Wick, Kent Pauling, and Bruce Ludwig along with their crew members Ray Gibler of Orange City and Craig Schniederman of Rock Rapids were blowing their whistles and throwing their penalty flags during the 2A semi finals with Union, La Porte City and Williamsburg. This was not the first time for many of the referee crew to officiate football games inside the dome stadium. Steve Wick, who serves as the crew chief and wears the white hat, has officiated three semi final games, and
two finals. Kent Pauling is the Line Judge for the crew and he has been with Wick through those same games. Bruce Ludwig, the Back Judge, has officiated two semi finals. Craig Schniederman is the new guy to the refereeing crew, and made his first appearance at a state football tournament game. Schniederman is the Umpire and replaced long time referee Mike Dreckman of Le Mars, who had a long career of decades officiating football. Dreckman, prior to his retirement, had appeared in the dome a total of four times. Gibler has split his time refereeing football between Idaho and Iowa. Gibler is the Side Judge, and before his employment with Northwestern College, he was a referee in Idaho having officiated championship football games in the Gem State. Wick has not only officiated championship football games, but the Iowa Hall of Fame Official has been selected many times to officiate both Girls and Boys State Basketball Tournament Championship games held at the former Veteran’s Auditorium and now at the Wells Fargo Arena, both in Des Moines. Just as it is an honor for the teams to advance and participate in the state tournament, so it is also an honor and a goal of each official to be asked to referee a state tournament game. Congratulations to all the men and women who choose to wear the striped shirts, and rarely get the respect they deserve.
