Bob Gramola, a 40-year football official who served in many other ways, was named the 2024 winner of the McMillan-Hurst Award presented by the Lancaster Chapter of PIAA Football Officials to its top official.
The award has been given annually since 1961 to an official who demonstrates good officiating techniques, has a good understanding of the rules and has helped improve the caliber of officiating in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. It is named in honor of Ken McMillan and H. Grant "Tick" Hurst, winner of the George W. Kirchner Award in 1987. Gramola, the first 3-time winner, previously won the award in 1993 and 2005.
Originally an umpire but a referee for most of his career, Gramola often was chief of the chapter's state playoff crew and worked state championship games in 2003 and 2013. He recalled some of the players he has been on the field with, including such NFL stars as Kerry Collins, Darrelle Revis, LeSean McCoy and Micah Parsons.
He also contributed to the chapter as its secretary-treasurer and the Lancaster-Lebanon League as football assignment secretary for about 20 years. His influence reached throughout District 3 and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
The chapter's banquet at Brick Gables, Lititz, also marked Gramola's retirement from officiating and included video greetings from many current and former league coaches. Chapter President Ron Esh also announced the Crew of the Year selected by the Lancaster-Lebanon Quarterback Club, comprising the league's coaches, will now be labeled the Bob Gramola Crew of the Year.
The chapter also honored retiring referee Steve Risk, a 50-year official, meaning the chapter lost 90 years of experience in a single night.
Gramola, right in photo, received the award from Bob Resch, last year's winner. Below are Gramola and Risk with plaques and footballs signed by all the players in their last games.
-- Nov. 5, 2023
2023 McMillan-Hurst Award winner
2022 McMillan-Hurst Award winner
