EAGAN, Minn. - Timm Walsh of Highlands Ranch, Colo. has been named the fourth annual recipient of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s (NCHC) Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award for the 2016-17 season, NCHC Director of Officiating Don Adam announced Saturday, Sept. 23.  Walsh, a native of Mt. Clemons, Mich., completed his fourth season as an NCHC referee last March and was presented with the award on Saturday night at a ceremony at NCHC Officiating Camp in Eagan, Minn., which was attended by all NCHC referees, linesmen from Minnesota, North Dakota and Nebraska, as well as NCHC staff.  The presentation was also attended by Walsh’s wife, Lori, their son, Devin, and their daughters, McKenna and Riley.

Walsh, an avid participant in fishing, cycling, snowboarding and golf, is the Vice President of Corporate Sales for Regal Entertainment Group (Regal Cinemas), a company that he has been with for more than 20 years.  Walsh joined the NCHC officiating staff for the conference’s inaugural 2013-14 season after completing several successful seasons in the WCHA where he worked the playoffs consistently.   

During the 2014-15 season, the NCHC Officiating Program made the decision to become more active in fundraising for those who need assistance, and the Movember Foundation was selected. The Movember Foundation is committed to men living happier, healthier, longer lives.  The Foundation concentrates on three key areas as they relate to men’s health: testicular cancer, prostate cancer and suicide prevention.   

In addition to the NCHC officials’ annual charity golf tournament, Walsh dove into the Movember fundraising efforts headfirst, generating ideas for an inaugural Movember silent auction, which took place at a University of Denver home game in November.  All details of the auction were finalized by Walsh, but while he was officiating the game on the ice that evening, his family and the family members of the other NCHC officials manned the auction booth.  Because of Walsh’s contributions and the efforts of several officiating families, the NCHC Officiating Staff raised over $10,000 for Movember in 2016, which eclipsed the NCHC officials’ previous effort of $5,700. The NCHC officiating staff would not have been able to achieve their goal without the professionalism and assistance of the University of Denver.

“Timm Walsh has been an important piece of officiating within college hockey for many years. We have always been proud to have him as a part of the NCHC team,” said NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton. “With that said, what Timm did last year to support the officials’ Movember effort showed tremendous dedication and was incredibly generous. We are very honored to present this year’s Mark Rudolph Officiating Award to Timm Walsh.”

One the ice, Walsh has been selected to officiate the NCHC Frozen Faceoff all four years of the conference’s championship tournament (2014-17), while advancing to the 2017 NCAA Tournament, working the Northeast Regional championship game in Manchester, N.H.

“Aside from Walshy’s brilliant sense of humor, which has been known to attract crowds at times, he has been the consummate professional during his four seasons on our staff,” Adam said. “Regardless of his level of experience, Timm is always open to constructive criticism and nobody is harder on him than he is on himself. He possesses the drive and work ethic to get better every game and season.  Because of Walshy’s initiative and the assistance of his family and others, our staff raised over $10,000 for men’s health awareness.  Walshy has been a selfless contributor both on and off the ice and he continues to be a valued member of our staff.”

Over the course of several seasons prior to joining the NCHC staff and while crisscrossing the country, Walsh worked games professionally in the Western Professional Hockey League, the West Coast Hockey League and the Central Hockey League, excelling at each level.

Walsh and Lori, his wife of 26 years, were married in Garden City, Mich., but they were only continuing their travels together.  Prior to their marriage, Walsh moved across the country where he resided with family in San Diego, Cali. before Lori joined him six months later.  He was employed at a family fun center for six years where he worked with their batting cages, miniature golf, go-karts and their water slide – eventually being promoted to group sales manager.

After nine years in San Diego and with valuable experience under his belt, Walsh pursued a job opportunity with the Regal Entertainment Group handling their group events.  After accepting the job, Walsh and Lori moved to Knoxville, Tenn. where Regal’s corporate office is located.   After spending six years in Knoxville, Walsh was promoted to Vice President of Corporate Sales, which required their relocation to the Denver area.

Timm and Lori are the proud parents of Devin, a student and aspiring commercial pilot at Metropolitan State College of Denver; McKenna, a student and former soccer player at St. Mary’s College in Minnesota; and Riley, a former student and scholarship gymnast at Iowa State who, due to injuries, now attends college in Colorado.

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 established on August 26, 2014 and is presented to a member of the NCHC officiating staff following each season at NCHC Officiating Camp.

Criteria for the award recipient is 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.

Previous Winners
2013-14 - John Philo
2014-15 - Paul Carnathan
2015-16 – Joe Sullivan

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