George Evans set to be inducted into the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Hall of Fame
The late George Evans set to be inducted into the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Hall of Fame later this year on August 3rd. The induction ceremony will take place at the Alabama Sports Officials Hall of Fame Banquet in Oxford, Alabama.
Evans served in many different roles throughout his life including; husband, father, son, athlete, educator, mayor, and referee. Evans began serving as a referee when he was in junior high school according to his wife Jeannie. From the start, Evans developed a love for officiating and continued to serve in that role for many years to come.
“George was a giant among men and I say that because first of all, he loved his family, but he enjoyed coaching, he enjoyed being an official and it was just a part of him,” says Jeannie.
Throughout his officiating career, Evans reffed both football and basketball and had the opportunity to ref in some very high level events. Some of those high level events that Evans was able to ref include; the NCAA Sweet 16, Elite 8, multiple SEC and Big 12 games, and also served as the SWAC Coordinator of officials.
“His basketball career of reffing was truly a legendary event and a legendary feet for him and our family really just enjoyed to watch him referee,” says Evan’s son Byron.
And after watching their father do what he loved for so many years Evan’s son now carry on his legacy.
“He gave back to his boys for one, my oldest brother Patrick and myself we continued on with reffing and my other brother Dwayne, he continued on with coaching. So, we all went into basketball in some form or fashion,” says Byron.
And as his memory will forever live on in the hearts of his family his name will go down in history in the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Hall of Fame.
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is something that my family we’re very proud of. I’m happy that you know he’s going to be inducted. I wish he was here with us, but I know that he’s smiling down happy to see that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, so we’re very proud of him as a family and we hope that we can carry on his legacy,” says Byron.
“I believe he would say thank you it’s been a good ride, I thank the Lord for bringing me this far and I think he would be very proud,” says Jeannie.
