Rich Blatus This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. PoughkeepsieJournal.com - Colleagues look back on Garvey

   www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/to - [Cached]

   Published on: 2/20/2005   Last Visited: 2/20/2005

   "Bill was just a special, special man," said Poughkeepsie's Rich Blatus, president of the Mid-Hudson Soccer Officials Association.

2. 2. www.poughkeepsiejournal.com

   www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/ap - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/8/2007   Last Visited: 8/8/2007

   The referee shortage plaguing the Mid-Hudson Soccer Officials' Association has reached a critical low, according to Rich Blatus, association president and 30-year referee.
   
   Membership had been walking a dangerous line for several years until two years ago, when girls' scholastic soccer was moved from spring to fall, causing chaos.
   
   "Modified and junior varsity games are supposed to have two referees, just like varsity games," Blatus said. "But sometimes we've only had one ref cover a game, and we've had times where we had nobody to cover a game."
   
   According to Blatus, when situations such as that arise, coaches will step in to help out.
   
   "We've never had to call off a game due to the shortage," he added.
   ...
   Blatus added that it's a great way to stay in shape and remain part of the game.
   
   "It's only a six-week season," he said.