Waukesha’s Paul Eckert has just about done it all when it comes to sports officiating, whether he’s an umpire or referee.
And for good reason. He’s one of the longest-standing sports officials in Wisconsin history. He’s finishing his 55th season working high school games this spring. The 78-year-old Eckert did his first game in 1969 when he officiated a varsity basketball game at St John’s Northwestern Academies in Delafield on a night when the Lancers played Racine St. Catherine’s.
"I remember that game very well," Eckert said, who graduated from Oconomowoc High School in 1963. "It was my first varsity basketball game. And Jimmy Chones was playing for St. Catherine’s that night."
As things played out, Chones ended up being a college star at Marquette University, playing for legendary coach Al McGuire. Chones went on to have a big career in the NBA, playing mostly for the Los Angeles Lakers and several other teams.
There’s a good chance that Eckert has officiated more high school sports events (and youth games) than any other official in WIAA history. He’s still going strong after all those years and has no plans on calling it a career. He’s had to battle several serious health challenges over the years but has always bounced back with a passion for the games.
"There’s only two things that would make me give it up," Eckert said. "The first reason would be if my body gives out. And the second reason would be if I just wasn’t any good any more. I still really enjoy getting to the fields or gyms and reffing games. I love working with the kids. If I was in this just for the money, I would quit right now."
Eckert knows the rules of the game as well as any official, no matter what the sport. And when he works a game, he gives it everything he has.
"I still have a passion to work the games," Eckert, said, who was a three-sport athlete at Oconomowoc. "When I’m at the games I want to make it a good experience for everyone, the players, coaches and the fans. I think that’s how a lot of the older officials look at it. Some of the younger guys who are working games don’t have that same passion."
Eckert has officiated 34 state tournament events in his career. He’s worked state tournaments in both the now-defunct WISAA and the WIAA. He’s reffed state meets in football, basketball, baseball, girls fastpitch softball and soccer. He also officiates boys and girls volleyball.
On April 19, Eckert had one of those memorable games to umpire. He was the plate umpire for a varsity softball game featuring host Mukwonago playing against Wilmot.
His granddaughter Olivia was the starting catcher for Mukwonago. He also has umpired games for his grandson Brady over the years.
When asked about umpiring Olivia’s game, he said it was special but he called the game as if she wasn’t playing.
“It was fun knowing my granddaughter was the starting catcher as a freshman and I was the plate umpire,” Eckert said. “But I still called the game as I would any other day. I was there to do the best job I could. But it was fun being able to umpire a game in which she played in. There were some other family members there so that made it even more special.”
Sports has been a major part of Eckert’s life for a long, long time. He played football, basketball and baseball at Oconomowoc High School and also was a standout for the Oconomowoc Land O’ Lakes baseball team for many years. He thinks he played every position in his time with the Lakes team.
“Oconomowoc has always been a big sports town,” Eckert said. “Especially in baseball. I think over the years Oconomowoc has been the best baseball town in the area. I learned how to play from Joe Spicuzza. He was my coach as a kid and in the Lakes and he taught all of us how to play the game the right way. I’ll never forget he taught me, as catcher, how to block pitches. He did it on an asphalt parking lot. I came home one day after practice and my mom asked me what happened to my knees. I told her I was blocking pitches in the driveway.”
So, the next time you take in a high school sports event, there’s a good chance Eckert will be wearing the stripes or umpire’s gear. He’s been doing it a long time and has no plans on giving it up soon.