Rhoades inducted into official Hall of Fame

EPHRATA — After spending more than 30 years officiating with the Washington Officials Association (WOA), Ephrata’s Ed Rhoades was inducted into the officiating Hall of Fame for his service.

Rhoades began officiating in 1973 and in his 36 years as an official he has worked football, basketball, baseball, and softball games for the WOA.

When Rhoades approached his 30th year with the WOA, he filled out a coaching resume for the Hall of Fame. After six years, Rhoades was inducted with the rest of the 2009 Hall of Fame class.

“It was a long time coming,” he said. “I have been officiating year-round for more than 30 years.”

Rhoades began his officiating career when he served in the Air Force and was stationed in Hawaii. Rhoades began officiating youth events before working his way through the system.

“I started off officiating when I was in the Air Force and stationed in Hawaii,” he said. “In Hawaii you start officiating youth sports before you can move on to high school.”

After serving in the Air Force for 20 years and 12 days, he moved to Nebraska before making his home in Washington.

“I got started in basketball and in my second year here I took over as an assignor for softball and baseball,” he said of officiating in the Basin.

Rhoades has officiated high school sports for 36 years and he said the most rewarding aspect is the friendships and connections he has made through athletics.

“Seeing the kids come through and now seeing their kids come through,” he said is the most rewarding part. “It’s rewarding seeing some of the kids I officiated 30 years ago get married and now have their kids playing.”

While Rhoades got his start officiating basketball, he can’t choose one sport as his favorite.

“I like all of them, but the one I have done the most is baseball,” he said. “I have done that for a number of years.”

The 2009 Babe Ruth World Series wrapped up in Moses Lake last weekend and Rhoades played a fundamental role in making the tournament a success.

“I coordinated the umpires for (tournament co-Director) Randy Boruff,” he said.

With 36 years of officiating under his belt, Rhoades heard of his induction in May when the WOA sent him a congratulatory letter.

“I got a letter back in May that said, ‘Congratulations,’” he said.

Not only has Rhoades dedicated more than 30 years of his life to officiating, he served as on the WOA executive board for 17 years.

Rhoades was inducted Aug. 15 during the 2009 WOA conference in Yakima, Wash.