Originally from Sterling, IL, Mike Puterbaugh came to Connecticut at the age of 15 and remained until relocating eight years ago. Puterbaugh began with the Fairfield County Football Officials Association in 1971 and ended his association with the group when he moved to Allen, TX in 2006. In fact, he still works football as a member of the Dallas Football Officials Association. While he was with the FCFOA, Puterbaugh distinguished himself as a person any organization would be proud to have. He worked his way up the ranks as an official, both on the field as a committee member and chairman, occupying several positions, including the Better Officiating and Assignment Committees, before moving to the organization's vice-presidency and then presidency. He was vice-president of the Connecticut Football Officials Association and then its president (2003-2004). During his years with the FCFOA, Puterbaugh worked many important games in the FCIAC and other leagues serviced by the group, and was assigned to six CIAC playoff assignments, with the last four as a Referee. He is a past recipient of the Vincent J. Reilly Distinguished Service Award, and received the Jack Mears Award from the Dallas officiating group for his Outstanding Participation. A graduate of Staples High School in Westport, where he played hockey, attended the University of New Haven, before earning an Associates Degree in Fire Technology from Norwalk State Technical College. From there he was hired as a member of the Greenwich Fire Dept. and worked his way up the ranks during a distinguished 33-year career, finally retiring in 2006 as Assistant Chief. A member of Southwest Lacrosse Officials Association since 2006, he officiates youth and high school lacrosse in the Dallas Area, and college lacrosse in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. He is currently Secretary of North Texas Lacrosse Officials Association. Not one to stay at home during his retirement, he started "Mike to the Rescue," a home-repair company in the Dallas area. He has been married to his wife, Kathy, for 35 years, and the couple has three sons: Bud, who lives in Port Chester; Mack, who lives in Allen, TX, and Scott, from Stamford. The couple has five grandchildren with another on the way.