John McDonnell is best described as a "referee's referee". In other words, he is the person you want in the highest level game; in the 'grinder' games where all rulings and decisions are gray and not black and white; training and mentoring your members; talking game management, handling coaches and clarifying rules at the post game restaurant; talking to Athletic Directors and other school administrators; and, leading your official’s organization. After completing his degree at Southern Connecticut State University, John became a physical education teacher and coach in the Plainville school system from 1968-2002. John began basketball officiating in 1969 and in 1970 added football, baseball and softball. His twenty-four year high school football officiating career was very successful and included Connecticut championship games in 1982 and 1986. John was an excellent ‘white hat’ who also served as President of the CCAFO in 1995 and Chair of the Curriculum Committee. He was also very active with the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials and its state and local chapters. John served as Rules Interpreter from 1981 – 2002 for Central CT Board #6 and the CT State Division I, II & III college conferences and held training and administrative positions at both college and high school levels. Central CT Board #6 established the John McDonnell Training Scholarship in March 2002 to recognize John’s significant contributions. John remains active in the Phoenix, AZ area observing and evaluating high school football and basketball officials for the Arizona Interscholastic Association. He recently received the Fritz Goreham Lifetime Achievement Award for Dedication to Basketball Officiating in the Greater Phoenix Area and the Jim Murphy Volunteer Award for Volunteering Countless Hours for the Betterment of Arizona Football Officials. John fully acknowledges that his officiating accomplishments would not have occurred without the support of his wife Susan. They recently celebrated 49 years of marriage and after residing in Plainville until 2006 they have relocated to Surprise, AZ.