Published: April 25, 2008 09:57 am            

Letter: Deitz deserves recognition locally, too

To the editor:

Congratulations to Dick Deitz for the national recognition given him for his extraordinary achievements as a high school sports official. Induction into the National High School Hall of Fame is certainly well-deserved.

When our daughter played away games, I noticed the respect and friendships shown to him by officials, coaches and administrators of the host school. Several told me stories about Dick’s integrity, fairness and knowledge of the rules during his career.

When he announced he would no longer referee basketball, I contacted the Unit 10 administration and suggested that he be honored by “retiring” his refereeing jersey. I understand they need certain guidelines for such recognition but I believe he should be honored by our school systems for his achievements as a respected sports official. His reputation throughout school systems in Illinois has created as much admiration for our school system as our athletes.

Now that he was been recognized nationally, it should be incentive to honor him locally. It would be an incentive to honor him locally. It would be shameful to have an individual in a national hall of fame and not receive a similar notoriety in his own hometown.

Lowell Huffstutler

McLeansboro

        

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