Calgary, AB (November 25, 2009) - The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced today the officiating crew who will work the 97th Grey Cup to be played in Calgary on Sunday, November 29 at McMahon Stadium. This group of officials was the highest rated crew in the CFL during 2009 season.2009 Grey Cup Officials
Referee #32 Glen Johnson
Umpire #31 Ben Major
Head Linesman #35 Don Cousens
Line Judge #33 Michel Pinsonneault
Side Judge #60 Tom Vallesi
Back Judge #70 Don Ellis
Field Judge #51 Bryan Taylor
Alternate #22 Murray Clarke
Alternate #47 Jocelyn Paul
Replay Official -Jake Ireland
The CFL will use the 'Command Centre' for replay review for the first time in a Grey Cup game. The 'Command Centre' was introduced at the start of the 2009 season.
The crew will be supported by an off-field officiating staff, including:
Director, Officiating Tom Higgins
Senior Advisor, Football Operations George Black
Supervisor, Officiating Bob Reddekopp
The following is some background information on this year's Grey Cup officials:
Glen Johnson - Referee
Johnson is in his 20th season as a CFL official and this will be his 9th appearance in a Grey Cup game. His other Grey Cup appearances came in 1994 (alternate), 1995 (field judge), 2000 (field judge), 2002 (alternate), 2003 (alternate), 2005 (referee), 2006 (alternate) and 2007 (referee). The Etobicoke, Ontario resident has called 339 games as a CFL official.
Glen and his father Gord hold the distinction of being the only father and son to have officiated Grey Cup games. Gord was an official for 16 years in the CFL and he called four Grey Cup contests - 1978 (head linesman), 1979 (head linesman), 1980 (field judge) and 1983 (back judge). Glen was born in 1961 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Ben Major - Umpire
Major will work his 1st Grey Cup game. The 5-year CFL veteran from Notre-Dame deI'lle Perrot, Quebec has called 68 CFL games. Ben was born in 1973 in Montreal, Quebec.
Don Cousens - Head Linesman
Cousens will be calling his 5th Grey Cup game. The 12-year CFL veteran from Georgetown, Ontario has called 209 CFL games. His other Grey Cup appearances came in 2002 (line judge), 2003 (line judge) 2005 (head linesman), and 2007 (head linesman). Don was born in 1957 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.
Michel Pinsonneault - Line Judge
Pinsonneault will be calling his 1st Grey Cup game. The 5-year CFL veteran from Chateauguay, Quebec has called 69 CFL games. Michel was born in 1961 in Montreal, Quebec.
Tom Vallesi - Side Judge
Vallesi will be calling his 1st Grey Cup game. The 6-year CFL veteran from Hamilton, Ontario has called 94 CFL games. Tom was born in 1969 in Hamilton, Ontario.
Don Ellis - Back Judge
Ellis will work his 10th Grey Cup game. The 28-year CFL veteran from Newmarket, Ontario has called 501 CFL games. His other Grey Cup appearances came in 1986 (alternate), 1988 (line judge), 1992 (alternate), 1993 (back judge), 1994 (back judge), 1999 (alternate), 2005 (back judge), 2006 (back judge) and 2007 (back judge). Don was born in 1950 in Toronto, Ontario.
Bryan Taylor - Field Judge
Taylor will work his 2nd Grey Cup game. The 10-year CFL veteran from Welland, Ontario has called 182 CFL games. His other Grey Cup appearance came in 2003 (side judge). Bryan was born in 1969 in Brampton, Ontario.
John "Jake" Ireland -Replay Official
Ireland will work his 16th Grey Cup game, his first as Replay Official. The 30-year CFL veteran from Townsend, Ontario has called 555 CFL games. His other Grey Cup appearances came in 1981 (alternate), 1983 (alternate), 1985 (referee), 1986 (referee), 1987 (referee), 1988 (referee), 1990 (referee), 1992 (referee), 1994 (referee), 1996 (referee), 1998 (referee), 2001 (referee), 2006 (referee), 2007 (alternate) and 2008 (referee). John was born in 1946 in Hamilton, Ontario.
Murray Clarke - Alternate
Clarke will work his 6th Grey Cup game. The 18-year veteran from Victoria, BC has called 339 CFL games. His other Grey Cup appearances came in 1996 (back judge), 1998 (field judge), 1999 (field judge) 2002 (alternate) and 2005 (field judge). Murray was born in 1961 in Camrose, Alberta.
Jocelyn Paul - Alternate
Paul will work his 1st Grey Cup game. The 2-year veteran from St. Agapit, Quebec has called 23 CFL games. Jocelyn was born in 1977 in Victoriaville, Quebec.
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