Over the summer, NASO honored three deserving individuals with Great Call Awards—two during the opening of the NASO Summit in Montgomery, Ala., and one at the 2025 Officiate Washington Day.
Jonathan McKinney – Life-Saving Response
The first award went to Alabama official Jonathan McKinney, who helped save a man’s life on his way to a basketball game last winter. McKinney was driving to Gadsden City High School when he noticed a woman flagging him down at a stoplight. She told him there was an unconscious man on a set of steps outside a nearby house. McKinney and the woman called 911, and the dispatcher instructed them to start CPR while waiting for paramedics.
“I started CPR, and maybe in 45 seconds to a minute, that’s when the guy took a deep breath, and I stopped doing chest compressions,” McKinney said. The paramedics arrived shortly after, and McKinney went on to work his game. “That whole first quarter, I was shaking and nervous, still had all that on my mind. In the second quarter and then halftime, I kind of calmed down, just got through the game.”
Denton Kimberly – Courage Under Fire
The second award went to Denton Kimberly, an Alabama soccer official. Kimberly was officiating a U-17 game in Oxford, Ala., when a fight broke out in the stands during the second half. Multiple adults rushed the field, and a father was punched in the face. The father drew a 9mm pistol, fired a round in the air and demanded to know who punched his son.
Kimberly, a nine-year Navy veteran, remained calm and slowly approached the man, convincing him to holster his weapon. As police arrived, the man turned his gun over to Kimberly, who handed it to officers. The aftermath initially caused Kimberly to quit officiating, but after a couple of weeks of reflection, he chose to come back.
“The game and all of officiating need people like him,” said NASO President Bill Topp. “NASO’s Great Call Award is given by our board of directors for good works on behalf of officiating—for those that make us proud to be officials. We cannot think of two more deserving Alabama officials than these two.”
Teri Simons – Support in Crisis
The final Great Call Award was presented just days after the Summit to Teri Simons at the Officiate Washington Day event in Yakima. During the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) State Cheer tournament in January, Simons helped a student-athlete through a mental health crisis. Her calm, measured and careful approach to a high-stress situation was inspirational and did not go unnoticed. The team was able to take the mat, and the coach was incredibly grateful for the unexpected support. Simons was presented with the award by WIAA Assistant Executive Director Cindy Adsit.
About the Great Call Award
NASO presents its Great Call Award to those who, through their actions, shine a positive light on sports officiating—the human quality that is normally out of public view. To learn more about the award and see past recipients, visit naso.org/great-call-award.
