Maine basketball officials ready to ‘Blow the Whistle on Cancer’

Those who know me best remember that I began all this basketball stuff in training to become a high school basketball referee.

What may seem odd to some was a smooth transition in my opinion from playing the game I loved to officiating it like others I knew, who had made the smooth transition themselves to the officiating ranks.

Bob “Punk” Kelley was an outstanding teacher and coach in the Bangor school system at the old Fifth Street Junior High School. I had the good fortune to have coach Kelley in the gymnasium as a teacher and after school as a coach.

All of Kelley’s students got a kick out of his adding high school basketball officiating to his duties. We got quite a charge out of racing to the Bangor Auditorium after practice to watch him work the Bangor boys junior varsity contests. We had been warned that once he began his officiating career, we were to remain silent or the number of laps we ran the next night in practice would be in direct proportion to how quiet we could be.

Kelley would advance to become a top official in Maine. Along with gentlemen like Wayne Lawton, Jim DiFrederico, Charlie Murray, Peter Webb and Roger Chesley – to name a few – this area always had top-notch high school officials.

One of those gentlemen, the aforementioned Peter Webb, has gone on to become Maine’s commissioner of basketball.

This week, Webb checks in to inform us that from Jan. 28 until Feb. 2, all certified IAABO basketball officials will engage in a statewide campaign to “Blow The Whistle on Cancer.” According to the Aroostook County native, all middle school and high school officials statewide will trade their black whistles in for light blue ones, emblematic of the American Cancer Society’s efforts to eliminate cancer.

In addition to the symbolic gesture by the officials, Webb also tells us this: “It is hoped that others will see what we’re doing and make a donation to the worthwhile cause.”

Maine officials are being asked to donate 25 percent of their referee earnings during that time period to the campaign as well.

All of this resembles the college coaches’ week of supporting cancer research and the Jimmy V Foundation, named after former North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano, who died an early death from the disease.

During their own campaign, college coaches wore sneakers as a sign of solidarity. What those blue whistles do for Maine’s ref campaign remains to be seen, but Webb and his associates should be commended for such a visible display of solidarity for such a worthy cause.

Webb would be the ideal spokesman for such a lofty cause. Through the years, Pete has demonstrated in his own personal life a humanitarian side that is impressive.

Truly a good neighbor, it is not unusual for Peter to take a friend’s dog to the vet at the end of the pet’s life, or to go shopping for an elderly friend. He has probably shoveled more walks for those around him than most people. He truly is a good person.

That spirit of helping others will manifest itself warmly in the upcoming cancer campaign. All officials should be congratulated for their work to promote cancer research and give assistance to those who need help.

30-Second Time Out

Cold snap got you down?

Don’t look now, but we’re inside of a month before spring training begins for major league baseball teams.

Can our own spring be far behind?

bdnsports@bangordailynews.net