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Canadian Football League

CFL Officials Named for 98th Grey Cup

November 23, 2010 - Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release


Edmonton, AB (November 23, 2010) - The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced today the officiating crew that will work the 98th Grey Cup to be played in Edmonton on Sunday, November 28 at Commonwealth Stadium. This group of officials was the highest rated crew in the CFL during the 2010 season.

2010 Grey Cup Officials

Referee #66 Bud Steen Umpire #34 Ritchie Miller Head Linesman #52 Boris Velcic Line Judge #63 Rob Hill Side Judge #46 Rob Skaggs Back Judge #42 Carey Anderson Field Judge #73 Brian Chrupalo Alternate #23 Dave Hawkshaw Alternate #28 Andre Proulx

Replay Official - Jake Ireland

The CFL will use the 'Command Centre' for replay review for the 2nd 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 Bill Wright

The following is some background information on this year's Grey Cup officials:

Bud Steen - Referee Steen is in his 30th season as a CFL official and this will be his 7th appearance in a Grey Cup game. His other Grey Cup appearances came in 1983 (Line Judge), 1985 (alternate), 1989 (Back judge), 1997 (alternate), 2000 (alternate) and 2004 (alternate). The Edmonton, Alberta resident has called 509 games as a CFL official. Bud was born in 1951 in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Grey Cup will mark Steen's final game as an on-field official, capping a remarkable career. Following the Grey Cup, Steen will become the Supervisor in Edmonton, replacing Bill Wright. The Grey Cup also marks Wright's final game as a Supervisor, after 31 years as an on-field official and Supervisor. Wright has been part of the CFL in some capacity for 49 years.

"With so many years of officiating service between them, these fine gentlemen have served our league well, making our game better and, through their leadership and mentorship, making our officials better," said Tom Higgins, Director of Officiating.

"But let's be clear: this Grey Cup assignment was not handed out as some sort of farewell or thank you. Bud will be on the field because his crew graded out at the top over the course of the season, and Bill will be supervising because we have tremendous faith in him. The Grey Cup is about the best in our league, and while all of our officials have worked hard and done well this season, this crew has earned this prestigious assignment."

Ritchie Miller - Umpire Miller will work his 1st Grey Cup game. The 3-year CFL veteran from Winnipeg, Manitoba has called 37 CFL games. Ritchie was born in 1974 in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.

Boris Velcic - Head Linesman Velcic will be calling his 4th Grey Cup game. The 13-year CFL veteran from Calgary, Alberta, has called 211 CFL games. His other Grey Cup appearances came in 2004 (alternate), 2005 (line judge) and 2007 (line judge). Boris was born in 1961 in Calgary Alberta.

Rob Hill - Line Judge Hill will be calling his 1st Grey Cup game. The 6-year CFL veteran from Edmonton, Alberta has called 78 CFL games. Rob was born in 1970, in Calgary Alberta.

Rob Skaggs - Side Judge Skaggs will be calling his 1st Grey Cup game. The 10-year CFL veteran from Edmonton, Alberta has called 154 CFL games. Rob was born in 1965 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Carey Anderson - Back Judge Anderson will work his 2nd Grey Cup game. The 13-year CFL veteran from Langley, BC has called 213 CFL games. His other Grey Cup appearance came in 2005 (side judge). Carey was born in 1959 in New Westminster, BC.

Brian Chrupalo - Field Judge Chrupalo will work his 2nd Grey Cup game. The 6-year CFL veteran from Winnipeg, Manitoba has called 80 CFL games. His other Grey Cup appearance came in 2008 (alternate). Brian was born in 1969 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

John "Jake" Ireland - Replay Official Ireland will work his 17th Grey Cup game, his second as Replay Official. The 31-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), 2008 (referee) and 2009 (replay official). John was born in 1946 in Hamilton, Ontario.

Dave Hawkshaw - Alternate Hawkshaw will work his 1st Grey Cup game. The 5-year veteran from North Vancouver, BC has called 54 CFL games. Dave was born in 1973 in Milton, Ontario.

Andre Proulx - Alternate Proulx will work his 3rd Grey Cup game. The 13-year veteran from Drummondville, Quebec has called 232 CFL games. His other Grey Cup appearances came in 2001 (side judge) and 2004 (referee). Andre was born in 1964 in St. Charles, Quebec.

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