[Truth]

I think the region is really going to miss the likes of Steve Martin and Marla Gearhart. I've also heard that Bobby Hall is hanging up the whistle. I don't know if that's true, but I've heard it.

The region really needs some young officials to get started. Any young officials will take a few years of calling games before they get comfortable, but we really need to bring some young talent along.

Good officiating is hard to come by, and our region isn't getting any younger in that respect. I have to say, though, that after seeing some of the officiating in other areas of the state, our stripes (on the whole) are better than many (if not most).

I didn't know about Martin and Gearhart. Both will be missed. Hall is a good official as are many of the others. Of course, in this day and age, we can't expect to see another Foster "Sid" Meade or George Conley.

For any former player who wants to remain close to the game, officiating would be a way to do so. It is also a good way to burn excess calories.