Scott Frederick
Scott Frederick has just completed his fiftieth consecutive year as a lacrosse official. He started in the spring of 1959.He did college refereeing (NCAA) from 1963 through 1996. He worked the club circuit from 1963 until this year.
Scott played lacrosse at City College and then with the Baltimore Lacrosse Club and the Baltimore Athletic Club. He became the first General Manager for a lacrosse team in 1964. He was first to use a charter bus for teams to travel together, first to put names on the backs of uniforms, first to paint an emblem on the helmet, and first to use catered venues for end of year parties. He served the Southern Lacrosse Officials Association in a number of capacities; he was president in 1988-1989. He has been assigner for a number of leagues since 1979.
In addition to his officiating duties Scott started the first adult (postcollege) summer league in the area in 1973 and later the first Masters League (over 35). His proudest creation was the National College Lacrosse League, made up of schools who either didn’t have an NCAA program or who wanted a second outlet for their players. This he started in 1990—it has grown over the years to over 100 teams. He serves as President and Commissioner for this league, overseeing and coordinating, and also assigning in the mid-Atlantic region.
Over the years Scott has also officiated football—high school from 1960 through 1988, and semipro leagues (Interstate, Free State and Atlantic Coast) from 1967 through 1973; basketball, IAABO from 1965 to 1979, BBOWS 1979-1983, and recreation 1965-2005;and field hockey from 1976 through 1989 (BBOWS).
Scott worked over 40 NCLL college games this spring as well as several club contests. Scott is retiring at the end of this season to concentrate on assigning and helping the next generation of officials prepare to take to the field.
The fifty consecutive years as a lacrosse official are surely a record, one that will probably never be surpassed.
