SPORTS OFFICIALS: Mike Stentz, Dave Marra, Fred McPherson, Nick Miller, Rodney Mounts, & John Wilson, Jr.

High school sports are a staple of local communities across West Virginia. More than athletic events, they are community gatherings where neighbors get together to celebrate their past, present, and future.

The players rightfully get most of the attention, as they represent the communities in which they reside, often wearing the uniforms their parents or grandparents wore.

But the men and women who officiate the games are sometimes taken for granted. A small group travel near and far to officiate football, basketball, baseball, and more. They are in high demand, and many have been doing it for decades. The pay is small. The travel is long. The pressure is high. But without them, the game would be meaningless. They call balls and strikes, enforcing the integrity of the game that allows communities to celebrate their very best young athletes.

Six such people are Dave Marra, Fred McPherson, Nick Miller, Rodney Mounts, John Wilson, Jr., and Mike Stentz, who all have at least 40 years of experience refereeing football games here in West Virginia for the WVSSAC.

For their dedication to the state’s student athletes and preserving the integrity of the games we love, we are proud to name these officials as the certified Real West Virginians of the Week and we also celebrate all the officials across the state who give up their nights and weekends for the good of youth sports.

Have a nominee for a future week? Email us at news@therealwv.com.