If there was a familiar face on football fields in Fairfield County, and for that matter colleges and universities up and down the Eastern Seaboard, it would be that of Stephen F. Donahue. For more than four decades Donahue has been a member of the Fairfield County Football Officials Association, working hundreds of high school games. For more than 30 years he was a member of the Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Football Officials, and the Connecticut Chapter of that organization, working Division I, II and III contests as a deep official, most of it working the top Football Championship Division games in the Ivy and Patriot Leagues. A well-respected official for his even temper, knowledge of the rules and ability to apply them, Donahue worked games for the EAIFO from 1979 until 2010. As a member of the EAIFO-CT, he was a director and past-president, and was the group’s representative to the umbrella group, where he served two terms as its president. With the FCFOA, Donahue distinguished himself for his football officiating skills and his organizational talents. He was the group’s president in 1983-84, and worked on its clinic and meeting committees, while serving as a legal advisor. He has worked 11 CIAC state playoff contests, including four championships, the last as a referee in this year’s Class S contest. Donahue did not limit his officiating skills to football, working for IAABO’s Fairfield chapter and serving as its president as well, while racking up several tournament contests and championships. A graduate of Fairfield Prep and the College of the Holy Cross, where he played baseball, Steve did a three-year hitch with the U.S. Navy, taking steps toward his eventual Juris Doctorate (Cornell), where he went to Navy Justice School. Over the years, Donahue has received a myriad of awards, ranging from the CIAC Merit Award last year, to the Joseph Warren Memorial Award, given by the EAIFO, the Kennedy Center Outstanding Service Award, Greater Bridgeport Bar Association Distinguished Service Award, David Holdwright Distinguished Service Award (given by the CT Chapter EAIFO), and the Coogan-Lomme Award given by state basketball officials. He and his wife Moreen have three children, Christine, Stephen and Michael.