More than 400 members of the San Diego County Football Officials’ Association, including four active NFL game officials, gathered at the Hall of Champions this week for their annual awards dinner.
Among those attending were referee Mike Carey (University High/Santa Clara University), back judge Don Carey (St. Augustine/California-Riverside), umpire Garth DeFelice (Patrick Henry/San Diego State), and line judge Tim Podraza (University of Nebraska).
Steve Coover, principal at Mount Miguel and son of the late football coach and official Chuck Coover, received the George A. Schutte Memorial award for service to the organization. Other awards and recognition, some of which were accompanied by verbal but good natured penalty flags,  were part of the program.
YOUTH FOOTBALL FUND
The football officials also announced they would be awarding an annual college football scholarship in the amount of $2,500 to two deserving high school senior football players.
The San Diego Youth Football Fund’s was formed in 1999 with a mission to provide financial assistance to youth football players who live in San Diego County.
This marks the second year that college scholarships will be awarded. Mater Dei’s Fernando Gonzalez and Poway High’s Tyler Kasl were honored in 2011.
Basic criteria for those who apply for a scholarship includes academic standing, football participation, leadership, community service, and recommendation of the varsity coach.
Further information is available at http://www.sdyouthfootballfund.org
