The Georgia Athletic Officials Association’s (GAOA) 11 high school officials of the year and its overall Official of the Year were honored June 2 during the Georgia Athletic Coaches’ Association’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Northwest Georgia Trade Center in Dalton. They were chosen for their outstanding knowledge and skill in officiating, as well as their integrity, leadership, professionalism and dedication.
Superb officials like these contribute much to high school athletics in our state, and the GAOA and the GACA are delighted to recognize them with this award.
We are pleased to honor, congratulate and thank them for their continued commitment to excellence in officiating.
Overall Official of the Year
Dick Kitchens
Gold Leaf Football Officials Association
Baseball Official of the Year
Rickie Sexton
Chattahoochee Baseball Umpires Assn.
Basketball Official of the Year
Derrick Taylor
Hinesville Officials Association
Cheerleading Official of the Year
Kristy Durick
Metro-Atlanta Cheerleading Officials Assn.
Football Official of the Year
Duncan Blankenship
Etowah Valley Football Officials Association
Lacrosse Official of the Year
Damian Kavanagh
Georgia Lacrosse Officials Association
Soccer Official of the Year
Jeff Kreider
Georgia Soccer Association
Softball Official of the Year
Brown L. Keys, Jr.
Columbus Softball Umpires Association
Swimming Official of the Year
Monica Erwin
GA Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Officials Assn.
Wrestling Official of the Year
Paul Kite
Columbus Wrestling Officials Association
Volleyball Official of the Year
Harold Webber
Atlanta Area Volleyball Officials Association