Well-deserved honor for local official

Congratulations to Bruce Haselrig. As Mike Mastovich wrote in Thursday's editions of The Tribune-Democrat, the venerable official is one of seven inductees into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame.
The impact that he's had on wrestling in the Johnstown area is incalculable. A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Pennsylvania Chapter, he started the wrestling program at Pitt-Johnstown, which has developed into a Division II powerhouse under Pat Pecora.
Haselrig has been a wrestling official for the past 39 years working some of the biggest events in the nation, including 19 PIAA tournaments and six NCAA DII championships. He has served as the rules interpreter for District 6 for the past 28 years and is president of the NCAA Eastern Wrestling League Officials Association.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TKO PHOTOS
Bruce Haselrig has been a wrestling official for 39 years.

But more than any of that, he's been a great ambassador for the sport. Bruce understands his role as a referee and that he'll often end up being the focal point of at least one team's - or if he's really good both squads' - wrath. He accepts that willingly and shrugs off the slings and arrows directed his way.
I know that firsthand, as my father is a serial instigator when it comes to officials. More than two decades ago, he was yelling at Haselrig for a perceived slight to a Berlin wrestler. Rather than have him ejected from the gym - as Bruce could have done - he walked over toward the stands and stuck his tongue out at my dad.
While I'm not sure I'd recommend the strategy to young officials, in this case, it worked. Rather than infuriating him, it diffused the situation, as my father couldn't do anything more than laugh at the response.
To this day, my dad makes it a point to seek out and speak with Bruce any time he's doing an event. And my dad continues to harangue Bruce any time he thinks a Berlin wrestler has been wronged (most times I agree with the man in the striped shirt), but as all good officials can, Bruce separates those harsh words from what happens before and after the match.
In fact, he even had my parents pose for a picture with him this past season because of their longevity as fans (and sometime detractors). Bruce said that he was going to keep the photo and add the words that they were his "biggest fans."
That might or might not be true. But, as his induction shows, there are plenty around the region and state that have an appreciation for all that he has done for the sport of wrestling.
Enjoy being in the spotlight for doing something right, Bruce. It doesn't happen often for officials, but it's well-deserved.