The officials selected for the Gophers-Michigan game Saturday made history as the first All-Black officiating crew for a Big Ten football game, according to the conference.
The crew consisted of 11 men and one woman with Larry Smith (referee), Edward Feaster (Umpire), William McKoy (head line judge), Dorsey Skinner (line judge), Robert Smith Jr. (back judge), Lamont Smith (field judge), Lashell Nelson (side judge), Gregory Nelson (center judge), Calvin Diggs (alternate), James Robinson (replay official), Terry Young (communicator) and Darrel Leftwich (timer).
They posed for a picture at TCF Bank Stadium’s midfield with Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren.
“The principles of equality and equity are very important to me personally and to the Big Ten Conference,” Warren said in a statement. “Big Ten football has been around since 1896, but tonight marks the first time that an all-African American football officiating crew has led a game. It is a special opening weekend for Big Ten football and we are honored by all 14 of our member institutions and their student-led social justice initiatives, as well as our conference-wide ‘United As One” campaign.’”
Some of the notable accomplishments of Saturday’s officials include former Iowa wide receiver Robert Smith Jr., who played for legendary Hawkeyes coach Hayden Fry from 1983-86. Smith was a referee in two BCS national playoff games.
Feaster also worked during the 2017 and 2018 national championship games. LaShell Nelson was one of the first females to officiate a Canadian Football League game.
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October 25, 2020 at 06:52AM
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Big Ten's first all-Black officiating crew works Gophers/Michigan game - Minneapolis Star Tribune
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