Veteran of amateur game honoured for more than 25 years of service
VANCOUVER — Brian Small is the winner of the prestigious G. Sydney Halter Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution to football officiating, the Canadian Football League announced today.
“I am humbled to receive the Halter award and appreciate the recognition on behalf of officials across the country,” Small said after receiving the award during Grey Cup festivities here.
The current Referee-in-Chief of the Prairie Junior Football Conference and former Vice-President of Officials for Football Alberta was honoured at a Vanier Cup luncheon, sponsored in part by the CFL.
“Officials are the unsung heroes of Canadian football, dedicated individuals who love the game and are willing to devote their time and talent to it,” said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the CFL.
“All of us owe them a tremendous debt. They not only make our game safer and stronger — they make it possible. On behalf of our league, I want to congratulate Brian on this honour, and thank the Halter family for ensuring that officiating is, on this occasion, not a thankless job.”
During a distinguished career that has spanned more than 25 years, Small has officiated football at all levels, including a stint in the CFL from 1994 to 1996.
His amateur assignments included the 2002 Vanier Cup, 1993 Atlantic Bowl, and 1999 Canada West Final in university football, and the Canadian Bowl, the championship game of junior football.
“He exemplifies the best in amateur officiating in Canada,” said CFL Referee Bud Steen, who nominated Small for the award.
As the first Commissioner of the CFL, Winnipeg native and Canadian Football Hall of Fame member Sydney Halter, O.C., Q.C., was instrumental in writing the league’s first rule book.
His family honours his memory, legacy, and respect for the game and those who officiate it, with the award. Recipients’ names are placed on a trophy and they receive a personal memento.
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