Monday, May 10, 2004

NBUA blue to don stripes of Pac-10 football

Jeff Sadorus, center, has been named to the Pac-10 officiating staff. Far left is fellow NBUA umpire Gavin Anderson. Photo by Josh Neff.

By Gavin Anderson
Contributing Editor

Jeff Sadorus, a longtime NBUA umpire, has been named to the Pac-10 Conference football officiating staff, it was announced Tuesday. Sadorus was one of four officials brought in for the 2004 season.

He got the call at work that afternoon from the conference coordinator of football officiating, Verle Sorgen. He offered Sadorus a half schedule as a back judge on one of the six conference crews, which is typical for a new official.

"It was pretty special because I was actually talking to my dad on the phone when Mr. Sorgen called on the other line. So I answered, and he was the first to know the good news."

Sadorus' father, Hank, was a Pac-8/10 football official from 1963 until his retirement in 1987.   His career highlights included the 1978 Rose Bowl between Michigan and the Huskies, and numerous other games in such places as Alabama, Michigan and Oklahoma.

Former NBUA assignor and current vice president Jack Miller offered his congratulations after hearing the news, "Jeff Sadorus is a good man, and deserves this. I wish him lots of luck."

Last fall, Sadorus made his Pac-10 debut working the LSU vs. Arizona game.   Final score--LSU 59, Arizona 13.

"The game was on national TV, so my nerves were running 1,000 mph.   We actually had a drunk Arizona student run onto the field and steal the game ball.   Fortunately, as the guy came running towards me, the Arizona Highway Patrol made the best tackle of the night.   Well, for anyone in an Arizona uniform that is."

When asked how long the Pac-10 has been a dream of his, Sadorus replied, "Honestly since about as long as I can remember. I used to go in the back yard and pretend to do games. My brothers and sister would tease me about it but it kept me off the streets! Actually, I started applying to the Pac-10 about 1989. So, 15 years or so."

"But good things happen to those who wait," Sadorus added.

Since 1990, Sadorus has been an NBUA umpire, working all levels of ball, from Pony to Koufax, community college and PIL. Sadorus has umpired baseball since 1978 working in the San Diego, Eugene and Portland areas before traveling north to the Seattle. Often, while in Eugene, he toured the back country of Lane County officiating football games with his then regular crewmate Dale Scott, now MLB Crew Chief.  

He attended the Brinkman Umpire School in 1986 and witnessed the Challenger shuttle disaster while there.  

He does have one professional baseball game under his belt, a Salem Dodgers game in 1987 as a fill-in, working with then Northwest League (and former NBUA) umpire, Greg Mills.

However, Sadorus says his two biggest baseball highlights include the 1995 AAA (now 4A) state championship game in Spokane, and working the 1989 Little League state championship in Oregon. Both assignments were as the plate umpire.

Sadorus has this advice to offer any official looking to move up, "You certainly need to have patience and not lose sight of your goal. Just work as many games as you can. Learn the rules and know how to practically apply them and when the opportunity for any type of advancement comes, then step up and do the best you can. You never know who is watching you."