RUDYARD – Jerry Cook has been umping with the MHSAA for 43 years and will be appearing in his first ever softball state final.
“It means a lot,” said Cook. “Obviously, it’s something you strive for and I’m looking forward to it. You’re in a different atmosphere. You’re in the big stadium at Michigan State. So that’ll add to the anxiety, but I’m still going to do the same job.”
It all started when officiating fell into his lap.
“My daughter was playing JV Basketball and the officials didn’t show up,” said Cook. “The athletic director came up and asked me if I would fill in and talked to a young man from Marquette by the name of Ducky Perrin. So Ducky and I did the ball game.”
With the current official shortage, he encourages those who are interested to give it a go.
“We need new bodies, new officials. Come on in.”
Source: 9and10News.com
Feel free to provide your teams sports scores and roundup to sports@eupnews.com when your game is completed.
- Soo Indians Midget AAA Hockey Announces New Coaching Staff - April 19, 2024
- MYWAY State Finals – Kalamazoo - March 28, 2024
- 35th Annual Lake State Golf Classic Scramble Set for Friday, August 2nd at Wild Bluff - March 25, 2024
So very very happy for Jerry…. Over the years had the chance to ump and ref with BIG Jerry….
Jerry officiated both basketball & baseball when I played in the mid-late 80s. Good official, great guy.