By Chad Koenen

Publisher

For Harvey Scheffert, being an official was much more than blowing a whistle and ensuring the safety of the athletes. It was about the lessons that can be learned during the game and sharing his knowledge with the next generation of athletes across the state. 

Throughout his approximately 35 years officiating games, Scheffert said he viewed himself as almost another coach on the field to help guide the athletes in an attempt to learn the game the right way. 

While the 1959 Henning High School graduate retired as a referee approximately 20 years ago, he was recently given the prestigious Distinguished Service Award during the state boys basketball tournament in March. He was one of eight people from across the state to receive the award this year and was honored for his work as an official where he was regarded as an innovator among officials. 

“A very nice memento they pass out,” said Scheffert of the glass statue he received. 

A member of the Gopher State Officials association for over 40 years, Scheffert “has served the association and the (MSHSL) as an incredible recruiter and unparalleled role model,” according to a press release from the Minnesota State High School League. 

The Henning native joined the Gopher State Officials group in 1975 and began officiating varsity games in 1980. He is credited for being a positive influence and mentor for young officials and athletes breaking into the sport. 

“Scheffert has represented the association as an encouraging ambassador, cherished mentor and esteemed member of the community in football and basketball,” according to a press release from the MSHSL. “He continued to give back well after retiring from active officiating, assigning numerous youth tournaments and partnering with new officials as they started their officiating journey.”

Scheffert’s path to officiating began in 1970 with coaching and organizing various sports in the New Hope/Plymouth area. Over the years he estimates he has officiated over 1,000 football games and 3,500 basketball games, sometimes up to six days a week, in order to ensure local youth had quality officials to allow them to play the game they love. He retired from officiating games in 2005.

“It was a matter of physical activity and really working with the kids was good. You’re almost serving as another coach, especially at the lower levels,” he said. “Working with them, teaching them and helping them and getting them to know the game. It was a couple of good sports to get into and I really enjoyed it.”

Scheffert was one of eight people honored during the Class A state boys basketball tournament at Williams Arena in March. In addition to the Henning native, Chuck Clausen from St. Augusta, Terry Eiter from Detroit Lakes, Jim Erzar from Grand Rapids, Wayne Folkers from Crookston, Ron Hamann from Apple Valley, Tom Lawrence from Rochester and Jim Marshall from Eagan were honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the MSHSL.