An association is only as good as its people. Here we celebrate the heart and soul of the TBOA, the men and women who referee in it! It’s only appropriate at a site called Ref the Triangle that we introduce you to those who do that. Seriously, we’re proud of our membership. Our group works very hard to learn the rules to apply them in games fairly and consistently. More so, our dedicated members care about the schools, student-athletes, coaches, and community. Officiating helps us stay connected to it all and stay in shape. Our members are family we’re honored to have in the association.
Greg Fogleman
Greg is our Regional Supervisor. He schedules our games, sets our association strategy, and creates our culture of positivity and support. Greg is also quite accomplished. With over 35 years of experience, Greg started in intramural basketball and has been in the TBOA since 1989. Greg’s worked numerous regional tournaments as well as state championships for the NCHSAA. He has called college basketball in the Big South, Southern, MEAC, Sun Belt, Colonial, South Atlantic, Conference Carolinas, CIAA, Peach Belt, Old Dominion, and USA South Conferences. In 2017, Greg received the Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest honors for an official in North Carolina. He’s a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, although members who are NC State, ECU, and Duke fans don’t hold that against him because he’s such a nice guy. He’s married to Amy and has two fantastic kids in Garrett and Caroline.
Meet Our Clinic Leaders
Dennis Andrews
Mike Chalk
Bill Cheek
Junior Creech
Jimmie Massengill
Steve McNeill
Roger Rickman
Darrow Rimmer
Ben Strunk
Calvin Thompson
Meet Our Membership
Warren Knepp
Warren started officiating in 1984 after serving in the Navy. He began with adult slow pitch softball joining the ASA, NSA, and USSSA culminating in a 25-year career. Warren started calling baseball in 1990 working his way up to NCAA level and an MiLB fill-in when needed. In 2007 he decided to weave basketball into his officiating portfolio as a way to stay fit for baseball and has enjoyed it ever since. His amazing wife Julie totally supports his passion for officiating. They have two awesome adult children, Warren Jr. and Kaitlyn. With his second family being his fellow officials.
Dale Ham
A native of Johnston County, Dale is a proud East Carolina University graduate with a BS in Exercise and Sports Management. Now the director of the Smithfield Rec and Aquatics Center in Smithfield, NC, he began his officiating career in 2009, officiating rec, middle school, summer leagues, high school, and semi-pro basketball and soccer. Dale has also coached basketball, baseball, and soccer. He enjoys hanging out with his fellow officials and cherishes all those friendships. When not calling games, he stays active in his community and spends time with his wife, Ragan, and their two daughters.
Aaron Portnoy
Aaron is excited to join the Triangle Basketball Officials Association after moving to the Holly Springs area in 2021. He is a proud graduate of the University of Arizona, where he began his officiating career calling intramural basketball and youth sports in Tucson. Aaron has officiated basketball for over thirty years and will now have worked high school ball in six states, consistently qualifying for post season assignments and recognition. His favorite vacation spot is anywhere with his wife and two children – but they usually end up at the beach or Disney World.
Stuart Todd
Stuart grew up watching officials. He played basketball and golf at Saint Augs, also winning the CIAA championship in golf in 1999. Stuart coached basketball at Leesville High School for six years until coming over to the good guys (the officials!). He’s seen the game many different ways which is a great advantage in officiating. His ultimate goal is to step on the court as an ACC official for Women’s Basketball and work a State Championship game. Along with the TBOA, he also calls D2 and D3 ball. Stuart spends his free time with his wife and two children.
Penn Shore
Born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, Penn graduated from North Carolina State University in 1981. He served in the United States Army Transportation Corps from 1981-1985, honorably discharged as a Captain. Penn has proudly been part of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association since 2014, officiating baseball and basketball. His wife, Beth, and he spend their weekends in Morehead City. Penn is an officiating member in both sports in the TBOA and Eastern North Carolina Association. He has two grown sons, the older recently married.
Scott Graham
Originally from Lumberton, NC and a UNC-Pembroke alumni. Scott has been officiating high school basketball since 2011 and recently started officiating men’s college basketball in 2021. He was also honored to be selected for the 2019 Eastern Regionals and twice as alternate State Championship official. Scott works for City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources as the Brier Creek Community Center Director and resides in Raleigh with wife, Lindsey. When not on the court, he enjoys the outdoors, traveling to the beach, attending sporting events, exercising, and spending time with family and friends. Scott is also an avid fan of the Tar Heels and Atlanta Braves.
Dean Beabout
Officiating is in Dean Beabout’s blood, considering it’s a legacy in his family – his father refereed many sports spanning 40 years. Dean honored his dad and followed in his footsteps, starting to officiate men’s and youth recreational games while in college. Now approaching thirty years calling basketball, Dean loves the game, but more so the camaraderie of fellow officials, who he considers family. Dean is exceptionally accomplished at the prep level in both men’s and women’s basketball, having called multiple tournament championships, regionals championships, and having been chosen as part of a State Championship crew in 2020.
Ryan Beale
Born in West Virginia, Ryan started officiating basketball at the age of 15, picking up the bug from his brother who refereed in college. This year marks his twelfth working prep basketball and fourth year in the TBOA. Besides games, the most important thing to Ryan is the comradery that comes with officiating. He’s made lifelong friends with this avocation. Ryan is recently married to Jessica and they have no plans to leave the Triangle. When not officiating, Ryan loves the outdoors, attempts to play golf every chance he gets, and travels to NC’s beaches and mountains.
Mclloyd Bynum
Mclloyd Bynum attended Warren County High School where he played basketball. After graduation, he attended North Carolina Central and then worked in law enforcement. While a resource officer at a school in Durham, he was approached by the varsity basketball coach, who offered him the chance to be an assistant. After serving in that capacity, he was introduced to officiating by a law enforcement colleague. Mclloyd’s officiating accolades include conference tournaments, the Glaxo SmithKline Tournament, and a state regional assignment. Mclloyd has advanced to officiating on the NCAA level. Mclloyd loves the game, but more so the camaraderie of fellow officials, who he considers family.
Max Carter
Born in Beaufort, NC, Max attended East Carteret High School where he played football. He began his basketball officiating career while at ECU in 1986, focusing on recreational sports where he got the officiating bug. All these years later, Max is an accomplished referee in multiple sports, primarily football and basketball. On the high school level, Max’s accolades include calling three State Championships (!), five regional tournaments, and three regional championships in basketball and one State Championship and the East-West all-star game for football.
Joaquin Davis
Joaquin is a Durham native and proud graduate of NC AT&T! Working in corporate compliance for a major insurance company based in Durham, Joaquin loves cooking, exercising, and travel in his spare time. Joaquin’s draw to officiating plays in several sports. He believes his knowledge and expertise in regulatory and legal work in his day job easily transfers to his avocation of officiating. He loves calling football and basketball and was honored with a football State Championship several years ago. He finds officiating fun and challenging, but really loves the friendships he’s made over the years with the men and women in the TBOA.
Brian Eaves
Brian Eaves began his officiating career in 2002 and has been a member of the TBOA for over 10 years. Brian has officiated games at the highest level, including numerous tournament and conference championships, the John Wall Invitational and, most recently, the 2020-2021 Eastern Regionals. The highlight of Brian’s career is the off-the-court relationships with his fellow officials that he treasures the most. When he is not officiating, Brian spends time with his wife, Andrea, and their three children, who are also active in sports themselves, one of whom hopes to referee like his dad.
William Elizuk
William has been passionate about officiating since 1977. Starting his career in Canada with FIBA rules, he attended Dallas Shirley’s IAABO camp in 1982 and refereed in Florida calling NFHS, CIAA Men’s and Women’s basketball.
The experience continued when honored by being selected to call a college tournament in Puerto Rico, the CIAA state men’s tournament. William also can claim to have assisted in the development of two current NBA officials and two former successful NBA players. While has taught at Saint Augustine’s University as the HPE coordinator. He also enjoys training 2-3 hours a day and spending time with his wife and two dogs.
Daniel Fisher
Daniel has been officiating high school basketball for 13 years and college for 8 years. Daniel and his wife, Jennie, have three daughters with their youngest being adopted from Haiti. Daniel is originally from Williamsport, PA. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Penn State University in Exercise and Sports Science and a Masters in Sports and Recreation Administration from Temple University. He currently is a stay-at-home dad and co-teaches his girls three days a week. Daniel is the head coach of his oldest daughter’s NCFC Challenge soccer team, enjoys golf, and is an active member of Summit Church.
Justin Ford
Justin Ford is the Assistant Director of Sport Programs at UNC-Chapel Hill and started working as an intramural official in 1998 at NC State University. He has been a member of the TBOA since 2005. A two-sport official, Justin has officiated numerous playoff and regional games across the state throughout the years including multiple state championships in football and basketball. A proud member of both local high school associations, Justin cherishes the relationships that have been cultivated through the advocation of officiating high school sports in the Triangle.
Mario Giscome
Mario became a sports official years ago in California, grew in his local association and became a NCAA men’s basketball official. Mario moved to Oregon where he met his current fiancé, Nancy. He worked for the State of Oregon as a Licensing Complaint Investigator and officiated NCAA Collegiate men’s basketball during his five years in Oregon. Nancy and Mario moved to Durham in February 2020. The pandemic reminded Nancy and Mario that family is most important! Mario now volunteers for one of the City of Durham Mayor’s Committees, joined the TBOA, and was recently hired to officiate NCAA men’s basketball in the area.
Heather Herr
When she was young, Heather Herr fell in love with the sport of basketball. Once her playing days were over, realizing something was missing, her dad suggested officiating – even offering to teach her the craft of the sport she adored. In 2011, she passed her first referee test and it’s been nothing but fun since, starting with high school ball and then advancing to collegiate basketball in 2014. Heather is married with two kids – she’s a stay-at-home-mom during the day, but a kick butt referee at night! Heather loves the friendships she’s made in the TBOA.
John Holmes
John Holmes is in his eighteenth season as a TBOA official and has had the honor of working two NCHSAA basketball Championships and one NCHSAA Football Championship. Having also worked several Sectional and Regional Championships, one of John’s most memorable moments in the TBOA was working his first Glaxo SmithKline Tournament. John’s also had the honor of working twelve years officiating at the NCAA Collegiate Level as well as several conferences and post season tournaments.
Joe Korostynski
Joe K. as he is affectionally known is originally from New Hampshire (go Red Sox) and has been a member of the TBOA since 1989. He began refereeing basketball as a senior in high school. Joe worked youth, church, intramural, and middle school leagues, working up to the high school level. He has had the privilege of working a State Championship at the Dean Dome as well as five Regional finals. Joe and Becky have been married for 40 years and have three adult children and three grandkids.
Alexandra Love
Alexandra is a junior at UNC Chapel Hill, double majoring in political science and music. She played varsity basketball in high school and won the state championship in 2019. She officiates basketball and volleyball and has a goal to get to the collegiate level. During her first year, she officiated an NCISAA State Varsity Girls’ basketball playoff game. Alexandra loves officiating for the games and great friendships and believes there’s always something new to learn and improve! She’s also passionate about food, travel, fitness, and international music. Her long-term goals are to attend law school and continue as a violist.
Steve McNeill
Steve and Shelia are parents of two sons and two grandchildren. They’re the light of his life. A graduate of Pembroke State and Campbell Universities, he taught science and coached basketball, tennis, and softball before becoming an AD and principal. In addition to officiating high school and junior college basketball, he’s a baseball & softball umpire and former football official. Steve’s officiated conference, regional, and state championships. This year marks his 47th officiating and coaching. Steve is the Supervisor for the Triangle Football Officials Association and has held that position for softball and basketball, too. He’s also a recipient of the Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award.
Lonnie Odom
Lonnie earned a bachelor’s degree in Business from St. Augustine’s University and resides in Raleigh with his wife, Carolyn. They are the proud parents two sons and one grandchild. Lonnie has been a dedicated recreational therapist for 29 years with Wake County Human Services. Having a passion for sports, especially basketball, he became a member of the TBOA 30 years ago. He’s refereed several regional championship games, two state championship games and Division II and Division III college basketball games. Lonnie also received the Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award for his service and involvement with young student athletes across the state.
Mario Price
Mario Price is a local guy, hailing from Reidsville, NC. Mario moved to Raleigh in 2012 and has a wife and two sons who are a full-on sports family. Having called basketball for thirteen years, Mario considers Duke his favorite college basketball team! He loves to officiate and has a deep passion for the craft, always asking questions and watching games to improve. Over the next few years, his goal is to have a State Championship game and become a Division 1 Women’s College official.
Darrow Rimmer
Darrow Rimmer has been a solid member of the Triangle Basketball Officials Association for 32-years. He counts as his big hobby golf and loves the Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Reds, and UNC Tarheels. Darrow’s officiating accolades include dozens of conference tournaments and state regionals assignments. He counts among his blessings the honor of officiating State Championships in 2004 and 2014. Darrow works for Swift Creek Health Care at the Templeton in Cary and lives in Morrisville, NC with his wife, Brenda.
Kenneth Royster
Ken Royster is from Oxford, NC. Basketball has been his passion since he was a kid. Ken joined the TBOA in 2008 and enjoyed several successful season until undergoing a kidney transplant 2017. His recovery went well and he returned for the 2019 season. Ken is a graduate of St. Augustine’s College and Troy State University. He retired from the military and the Department of Justice. He’s also married to Celeste and they are blessed with four adult children. The TBOA has been a like a family to him and he cherishes his mentors and the friendships he’s made along the way.
Justin Salz
Justin Salz has been calling basketball for 17 years. With aspirations for college basketball, Justin has ascended to referee in Conference Carolinas, NJCAA Region 10, and USA South. He’s humbled each day calling ball in those conferences, but his heart is with the TBOA, where he’s refereed prep ball since 2012. Justin lives in Apex with his wife Meaghan and their three kids. He works in Healthcare IT for MedStar Health. When not on the basketball court he enjoys hiking and camping with the family and attending local sporting events with friends.
Ben Strunk
Ben found his passion for officiating as an intramural sports referee at Ohio University in 2008 and easily connected with the ambition and camaraderie of the officiating community. Early on, Ben learned from great clinicians at regional/national collegiate tournaments, eventually earning All-American Official awards in both basketball and flag football. He began officiating high school basketball, football, and baseball in 2010 and has since worked in three different states: Ohio, Florida, and North Carolina. Ben serves as the Assistant Director, Sports Programs at NCSU and leads a staff of 125+ sports officials and enjoys helping them develop and grow in their officiating careers.
Bradley Watkinson
Brad Watkinson was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. For the past 12 years, Brad and his family have called Raleigh, NC home. He’s happily married with two daughters. Brad enjoys going to the beach, boating, and watching his kids play sports. Upon his college sports career coming to an end after graduation, a friend and current TBOA family member asked Brad about getting into refereeing. Not knowing a anything about it, he gave it go, and it stuck. Fast forward to today, Brad vividly remembers walking into his first clinic and still thoroughly enjoys officiating every night.
Kinely Williams
Kinely has officiated basketball games over the past twenty-two years. First as a member of IAABO Brooklyn Board 37 for twelve years and the remaining years with Triangle Basketball Association. He got the officiating bug when he saw a law enforcement colleague studying his rule book. He invited Kinely to watch his game and soon after he became one of his first basketball mentors. Since that day Kinely has officiated been four state championships, three Eastern Regionals, the East/West All-Star game, numerous conference finals and playoff games. That said, his most memorable contest was a playoff game with his very first mentors.
Matt Wolf
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Matt has been a basketball official for over 30-years at the high school and college levels. Matt works for WTS International, as a Recreation Director where he manages recreation, athletic and social programs for an active adult community in Chapel Hill. Matt and his family moved to Cary, NC in 2012. Married for 24 years, his wife Rebecca works for PNC Bank. His son Jake, a senior at UNCG, is a pitcher on the baseball team. His daughter Abby is an equestrian, taking on-line classes at Wake Tech. Matt has ascended to officiate the State Championship game twice, most recently in 2021.