Don Elsea Receives National Referees Award

[bbb]

Longtime Chattanooga area wrestling official Don Elsea has been selected as the National AAU Folkstyle Referee of the Year for 2011.

 

Elsea will receive the award this summer at the ESPN Disney Duals in Orlando, Fla. from the National AAU Wrestling Executive Committee.

 

Now in his 39th year as a high school official, Elsea has officiated 26 TSSAA state tournaments and 25 national tournaments including Disney Duals, Spring Youth Nationals, National Elementary Duals, Super 32, Ironman and High School Nationals.

 

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award, especially considering it is a national award and all the outstanding referees that we have,†said Elsea who wrestled at Red Bank High School placing third in the state in 1970.

 

"It is nice to be honored and to bring some recognition to Tennessee and our wrestling community.

 

"I have been very fortunate to work with and learn from some very outstanding referees in our area, including Ken Mara, Mike Craft, Danny Gilbert, Tater Vineyard, Scott Williams and Mike Parker.

 

Elsea was inducted into the Tennessee Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008.

 

Mat Notes: Elsea is the finance chairman and head official for Team Tennessee AAU ... finance chairman for Southeastern AAU ... In 2008, started the AAU training program for AAU officials in areas of the state that are short on state association officials ... started the Red Bank Kids Club wrestling program in 1970.

 

 

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Edited January 6, 2012 by bbb

[YOUTHCOACH16]

Congratulations Don! There is not a more deserving official out there. Its been a great pleasure working with you these past years on behalf of the Aau. You are a great reprensentative of what our sport is all about.

[Littlet]

Congratulations to Don. I have observed him teaching, coaching and modeling good sportsmanship as he refs. Well-deserved honor.

[Sommers]

what's funny is that...

Donny looks the same as he did when he called matches when i was a 95 lb'er wrestling for Senter in 1973!! He looks, acts and still makes calls as he did way back then!!! He MAY have had a little more hair when he graduated from RB.

[clintabbott]

Congratulations Donnie, you and I are good examples of folks that endured. This is good for young people who get put out. Endure and good things will happen. Again, congratulations to an outstanding person who has stayed the test. Clint Abbott

[galloppingghost77]

Congrats Don Elsea! You are a true friend to our sport on all levels

[reftn]

One big ATTA BOY Don!!