ECHL Mourns Loss Of Linesman Ryan Birmingham
May 15, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release
PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL and its member teams mourn the loss
and express their condolences to the family and friends of ECHL linesman
Ryan Birmingham, who was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Sunday
while traveling from Chattanooga, Tenn. to Snellville, Ga.
"The ECHL has lost a respected and dedicated member of our officiating
family, but more importantly a young man who was full of life has been
taken from the Birmingham family far too early," said ECHL Vice President
of Hockey Operations Rod Pasma. "Ryan will be missed by not only the ECHL
and our officiating staff, but by all the players, coaches, team personnel
and fans who were fortunate enough to make his acquaintance this past
season. Our sincerest condolences are extended to his father Roy, mother
Theresa, brothers Jeff and James, sister Alivia and the entire Birmingham
family."
Affectionately known as "Big Birm", he was born July 7, 1982 in Dearborn,
Mich. and grew up in Southgate, Mich. where he attended school and played
baseball with the City of Southgate Parks and Recreation.
Birmingham attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn for two years
before transferring to Saginaw Valley State University where he received
his bachelor's degree in business administration, playing club hockey at
both schools.
He began his officiating career when he was 12 years old in the Southgate
Minor Hockey Association and worked his way into the USA Hockey Junior
Officiating Development Program in 2003. Birmingham, who wore number 60,
was hired as a full-time linesman by the ECHL in 2006 and worked 83 games
in the regular season and four games in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, including
his final game, Texas at Gwinnett on Apr. 15.
Before being hired by the ECHL, Birmingham worked in the North American
Hockey League, the United States Hockey League, the Central States Hockey
League, the Southern Professional Hockey League, the Central Hockey League
and the United Hockey League.
"Ryan was a joy to work with because he always came to the rink ready to
work hard," said veteran ECHL official David Jones, who spent a lot of time
working with Birmingham during the season. "He really loved hanging out
with the boys and we are all going to miss him."
In addition to flexing his big muscles for everyone to see, Birmingham
loved hockey, golf, baseball, hunting and fishing. The ultimate handyman he
had the ability to fix anything and there wasn't a job that was too big
from houses to automobiles.
Birmingham is survived by his father Roy, mother Theresa, brothers Jeff
and James, sister Alivia, stepmother Debbie, stepfather Steve, stepfather
Ron, his paternal grandmothers and his girlfriend Teagan.
A memorial service will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at The Allen Park
Chapel at the Martenson Family of Funeral Homes in Allen Park, Mich. with
visitation on Thursday from 2:30-9 p.m. at The Allen Park Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made on behalf
of Ryan Birmingham to:
USA Hockey Foundation
Attention: Bob Weldon
1775 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
P.O. Box 650309
Dallas, TX 75265-0309
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