May 15, 2000
(RACINE, Wis.) — Tom Dooley, a retired NFL referee and owner of R.T. Dooley, Inc.,
a Charlotte, N.C., construction firm, has been named recipient of the 2000 Gold Whistle
Award of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).
xxThe Gold Whistle Award is presented annually to an official recognized for community
involvement, achievement in officiating and a reputation of strong integrity and ethics.
xxThe award will be presented during a banquet honoring Dooley on Friday, June 23, in Colorado Springs, Colo., at The Antlers Adam’s Mark Hotel. The banquet is part of the activities surrounding the NASO "Successful Officiating Summit" that concludes the following day.
xxDooley, the 13th Gold Whistle Award recipient, is being recognized for his work as the
founder of the Mathew 25 Fund, a scholarship program at Virginia Military Institute, as well as
leadership for several other charitable causes in his community. The July issue of Referee magazine will feature Dooley on its cover and detail his charitable involvement.
- xx"Tom absolutely epitomizes what this award is about," said NASO President Barry Mano. "When people hear and read about what Tom has done with his personal talents, they will understand why the Gold Whistle Award exists."
xxDooley began officiating football in 1960 and joined the NFL in 1978 as a line judge. He worked Super Bowl XV in 1980, then was promoted to the referee position in 1981. Dooley retired from the NFL following the 1992 season in order to spend more time with his family. He and his wife, Nancy, will celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary Sept. 15. They have three grown children and numerous grandchildren — all girls.- xxDooley’s humor as a public speaker is well documented and so is his humble approach to his charitable work. Dooley will accept his award — provided by Robbins Awards — at the Gold Whistle Award banquet, which is hosted by Fox 40 International.
xxPrevious Gold Whistle Award winners are former director of NFL officiating Art McNally; the late amateur football official Ed Myer; the late Pete Pavia, a sporting goods store owner and long time basketball official; retired AL umpire Larry Barnett; former NFL referee Jim Tunney; former AL umpire Steve Palermo; former NHL linesman Ron Asselstine; educator and NCAA basketball official Ed Hightower; Iowa High School Association Executive Director Bernie Saggau; long-time amateur sports official and trainer Ted Butcher; retired AL umpire Durwood Merrill; and NBA referee Tommy Nuñez. - xxDooley’s humor as a public speaker is well documented and so is his humble approach to his charitable work. Dooley will accept his award — provided by Robbins Awards — at the Gold Whistle Award banquet, which is hosted by Fox 40 International.
xxEarly in 1988, the NASO Board of Directors moved to fill a void in the officiating world. The members recognized the need to salute the achievements of referees and umpires around the world, but not just for their officiating-career accomplishments. Instead, NASO decided to reward one official each year for a long-term commitment to mankind. Thus was born the NASO Gold Whistle Award.
- xxIn preparation for the first Gold Whistle Award, NASO’s staff established selection criteria, later approved by the Board of Directors. A candidate must:
xxxx• Have a minimum of 10 years of experience as an active official, but does not have to be currently active to receive the award. The award can be made posthumously.
xxxx• The committee, at its discretion, and in lieu of the above provision, can select an award winner based on the candidate’s significant contribution to the betterment of officiating.
xxxx• Exhibit a "service above self" attitude demonstrated by a record of community involvement, public service or other engagements which clearly have had a positive, motivating effect on others.
xxxx• Be regarded as a person with high integrity and ethics and possessing the qualities held in high regard by the "community" of sports officials.
xxxx• Have a consistent record of presenting officiating in a positive light to the sports world in general.
- xxNow in its thirteenth year, the Gold Whistle Award is among the most coveted awards in the world of sports officiating. The reason is simple: The award recognizes an individual who has made tremendous contributions to his or her community and has experienced a successful officiating career. Clearly, the emphasis is on contribution to the community.
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