2025 Officials Distinguished Service Award winners honored during Boys Basketball State Tournament

Eight officials were honored with Minnesota State High School League Distinguished Service Awards during the 2025 Boys Basketball State Tournament at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.

The Distinguished Service Awards are annually presented to those who go above and beyond in service to their fellow officials and have made a difference through long-term service and commitment.

The 2025 Officials Distinguished Service Award winners were recognized at halftime of Saturday's Class A championship game.

Meet the 2025 honorees:

Chuck Clausen

City: St. Augusta

Years as MSHSL registered official: 51

Serving Minnesota football and basketball officials as well as baseball and softball umpires, Clausen has been a key leader with the League serving as an official, association member, clinician, assigner and regional coordinator for more than 50 seasons. He is known for leading with quiet dedication and influence, serving in a variety of roles at countless games and tournaments and in St. Cloud Officials Association training opportunities. Clausen served with distinction as regional coordinator for baseball and softball umpires and as supervisor for numerous state tournaments in addition to his exemplary officiating career.

Terry Eiter

City: Detroit Lakes

Years as MSHSL registered official: 33

Eiter is a football and basketball official who has provided distinguished service to the Lakes Area Officials Association as assigner and mentor. He has served as an association leader for over 25 years, including his current position as assigner. Eiter has served in various roles including mentor, assigner and clinician in 26 years of association leadership. He is an engaging and positive presence who is a welcome face at all northwestern Minnesota schools.

Jim Erzar

City: Grand Rapids

Years as MSHSL registered official: 61

Erzar has served with distinction as a decorated basketball and baseball official for more than 50 years. He has been an active member of the Range Coaches and Officials Association and the Grand Rapids Area Umpires Association and is an accomplished mentor and leader of League basketball officials in northern Minnesota. He is highly regarded as a top official in the region and a selfless teammate committed to the needs of others. Erzar serves the basketball and baseball communities with unparalleled merit as regional coordinator, mentor, clinician and dedicated friend to all.

Wayne Folkers

City: Crookston

Years as MSHSL registered official: 22

Folkers has embodied distinguished service to the Crookston Officials Association over a 40-year career, including 22 with the MSHSL. He has served as a dedicated and supportive mentor and role model for volleyball, football, basketball and track and field officials in northwest Minnesota. Folkers is highly respected as a local leader in officiating advocacy, dedicating much of his professional and personal life to providing opportunities for Minnesota officials to thrive. Folkers has served as State Coordinator of Volleyball Officials for the League over five seasons and is one of the most generous officials in the long history of the League. His positive influence also extends to coaches, athletes, and community members who benefited from his calm and inspiring presence.

Ron Hamann

City: Apple Valley

Years as MSHSL registered official: 51

Hamann was a Suburban Officials Association leader and has been instrumental in the group's success by taking on multiple roles in 40 years of service. He was a tireless advocate for basketball and softball officials of the Metro Area, serving as a mentor to scores of individuals in his role as assigner and clinician. Hamann demonstrated excellence in officiating through nearly 45 MSHSL State Tournament assignments. He is a compassionate and humble leader who put Suburban Officials on the road to success.

Tom Lawrence

City: Rochester

Years as MSHSL registered official: 20-plus

Lawrence was a longtime member of the Southern Minnesota Soccer Referee Association and a respected leader for more than 30 years, including service to the local community as a dedicated coach. His servant leadership included a 10-year stint as assigner and numerous years as a trailblazer in the mentorship program. He was a lead-by-example type of official on behalf of his association. He assisted in the establishment of several high school soccer programs as one of the initial coaches in Rochester. Lawrence was known in the soccer community for his quiet devotion, and he poured his heart and soul into everything he did. Lawrence passed away in February of 2023 and accepting the award on his behalf are his sons, Peter and Mike.

Jim Marshall

City: Eagan

Years as MSHSL registered official: 38

Marshall is a longtime devoted leader of swimming and diving officials for the Minnesota Swimming Officials Association and the Minnesota State High School League, a group he has served for 43 years. He has served the association and the League in many roles including mentor, clinician, tireless advocate for swimming and diving officials and State Coordinator of Swimming and Diving Officials, a role he has excelled in since 2012. Marshall has been involved in leadership roles at numerous State Meets and is a nationally-respected rules expert. A member of several committees, he continues to develop officials into some of the best in the country.

Harvey Scheffert

City: St. Louis Park

Years as MSHSL registered official: 40

Scheffert is an innovator among officials and was a valued member of Gopher State Officials for more than 40 years. He has served the association and the League as an incredible recruiter and unparalleled role model. Scheffert has represented the association as an encouraging ambassador, cherished mentor and esteemed member of the community in football and basketball. He continued to give back well after retiring from active officiating, assigning numerous youth tournaments and partnering with new officials as they started their officiating journey.