DETROIT - John Philo of Byron Center, Mich. has been named the inaugural recipient of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award for the 2013-14 season, NCHC Director of Officiating Don Adam announced Monday, Sept. 22. Philo, who has served 14 seasons as an NCAA official, was presented with the award at the NCHC’s annual linesman camp in the Detroit area on Saturday. In attendance for the presentation Saturday were Philo’s parents, his wife, Erica, and their three children, and longtime friend and former CCHA official Kevin Langseth.

Philo, an assistant principal at Grandville High School in Michigan, began his officiating career working nine seasons as a linesman in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). His hard work paid off as he was selected to work the NCAA Frozen Four in both 2005 and 2007. He then transitioned to a referee position where he completed four seasons on the ice while donning the orange arm bands. As the landscape of college hockey has changed, the former middle school science teacher of nine years joined the NCHC as a linesman for its inaugural season. The experiences that Philo endured in 2013-14 were both challenging and devastating, but rewarding as well.

In January of 2014, the principal at Grandville High School was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. Due to his ongoing treatments he was unable to work and Philo was given the role of acting principal. Philo and a second assistant principal divided up the responsibilities and accepted the workload of supporting a school with 1,800 students. While Philo’s responsibilities at school increased, his transition back to working as a linesman was seamless, and his effort on the ice was consistently at a high level.

During Philo’s time as acting principal, Grandville High tragically lost three students. On March 2, a freshman, Alyssa Arends, lost her battle with bone cancer. Then, just five days later, senior Ryan Fischer died unexpectedly due to heart complications. Fischer was a three-sport athlete who was headed to West Point. And then on May 3, another senior, Roman Aguilar-Emmons, was killed in a tragic car accident.

Fischer was also the captain of the Grandville hockey team.

“Our hockey team had earned the right to play in the state high school semifinals on March 7 - the same day that he passed away.  Following extended conversation, our team played that night against Detroit Catholic Central with the parents’ blessing,” Philo explained. “Our school organized a student charter bus for those who wanted to attend and the MHSAA agreed to stream the game online at no charge.”

Immediately following the tragedy, the hockey community rallied to support the students of Grandville and the team. Students from Detroit Catholic Central even made signs, which included a six-foot tall “#11,” and they wore maroon to support Grandville.

Throughout the game, both teams battled and fought through the emotions of a very difficult event, and in the end, Grandville fell 3-0. Following the game, the team gathered at the net in the defensive zone and the players knelt down to pray. The DCC payers who were waiting in a handshake line at center ice immediately skated down to join Grandville as they all prayed together. In the ultimate show of sportsmanship, the DCC team skated with Grandville players to the bleachers where the Grandville fans were located, and players from both teams completed a stick salute.

“The greatest challenge during this time was keeping my emotions in check in order to make the best decisions possible - keeping our students, staff and community as the focus of each of those decisions was very difficult,” Philo said. “Organization and humility were the keys in keeping my head above water.”

Along with the added workload as acting principal, Philo had to take care of his family of four at home. John and Erica’s children include sons Joshua and Luke, and daughter Ellie.

“Finding the balance between the needs of my school and the needs of my family was very difficult. I am truly thankful to have an amazing wife and supportive family,” Philo noted.

As the NCHC’s inaugural season progressed, Philo’s leadership and dedication on the ice became evident. Despite the challenges that Philo was faced with at work, he was mentally prepared for each and every game, always officiating with a high level of professionalism.

“Philo strives to be the best every game. He takes pride in minimizing and learning from mistakes and values the comradery that officiating offers,” Adam said. “He leads by example while officiating with a ‘quiet confidence.’ Philo simply respects the game of hockey and officiating, as well as those with whom he shares the ice.”

Based upon Philo’s leadership and on-ice officiating consistency, he was selected to work the NCHC’s playoffs, but due to his circumstances he was unable to accept the assignments. Philo expressed disappointment, but simply stated that he could not miss any time at school based upon the gravity of everything that had occurred – a decision that the NCHC both respected and supported.

“Ironically, the experiences that I have had as an official have helped me tremendously,” Philo said of dealing with the tragedies at Grandville. “I’ve learned to make the best decisions that I can, with the information that I have, and then move on. I’ve learned not to get wrapped up in the mistakes that I have made, but to move forward and be certain that my next decision is a quality one. I’ve also learned that listening and being ‘present’ for each and every person that I encounter helps me to better understand an entire situation. You can’t lead if you don’t serve those who work with you.”

The NCHC is proud to recognize John Philo for his outstanding performance, leadership and contributions, both on the ice and off. At the presentation, Philo received a plaque to recognize his achievement. In addition, Philo was presented with a colored pencil art rendering of himself, which was completed by Denver artist Michelle McAdams.

"I have seen John Philo work NCAA hockey games for many years. His demeanor, personality, and knowledge as an official is a great representation for what we strive for in the NCHC,” NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton said. “After understanding his personal story from this past year and knowing the commitment he gave to our conference I cannot think of a better person to win the inaugural award."

The NCHC’s Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award is named in honor of Mark Rudolph, a long-time official and distinguished administrator who resides in Colorado Springs, Colo. and established USA Hockey’s National Officiating Program, among many other accomplishments. The award was officially announced on Tuesday, Aug. 26 and will be presented to a member of the NCHC officiating staff following each season at officiating camp.

Criteria for the award recipient shall be an individual who, through dedicated effort and service, both on and off the ice, has achieved a distinguished accomplishment during the previous NCHC season, and who by his actions has significantly enhanced the NCHC and its officiating program.

--NCHCHockey.com--