Tom Freal considers himself a “behind the scenes” kind of guy.
He’s worked as a statistics official for the Seattle Seahawks since 1977 and a producer/spotter for KOMO Radio on University of Washington football broadcasts since 1980. “(Those roles) aren’t glamorous,” he said. “I’ve never been one to say, ‘Hey, look at me.’”
Having that kind of attitude is what makes him so good at one of his other jobs — a Snohomish County prep football and basketball official. He’s served in that capacity for more than 40 years, always content to toil in relative obscurity.
“My attitude has always been that (the officiating crew) is the third team at every game, and that we should be forgotten,” Freal said. “We don’t want fans to go home after a game thinking about us. The ideal thing would be for fans to leave talking about the teams or the players or the game itself or this play or that play, but not talking about us. Let’s be forgotten.”
A lot of people have noticed Freal’s work on numerous football fields and basketball courts during the past four decades, however. That’s why he’ll be inducted into the Washington Officials Association Hall of Fame at an Aug. 4 ceremony in Yakima.
“It’s humbling and overwhelming,” he said. “I’ve had some success in officiating, but at first I thought (the honor) really wasn’t about me. It’s kind of new territory because I’m usually the guy in the background.”
Freal, a Lake Stevens resident, grew up and went to school in Snohomish. He earned degrees from Central Washington University and Seattle University and began officiating games in 1975.
“My parents loved sports,” he said. “Growing up we went to (numerous sporting events) — Huskies, Sonics, Seattle Totems, Seattle Pilots. Even though I loved sports, I knew early on that I would be an average (athlete), so I went a different route.”
Freal has built his officiating career around three tenets — working hard, having fun and enjoying the game.
“For me, working hard means reading the rules, studying the casebook, learning different mechanics, going to camps, doing things above and beyond the (requirements) of the normal season,” he said. “Having fun is about the interaction I have with my (fellow officials). And we want to enjoy the game because as officials, so many things are out of our hands. We have to stay sharp and not lose focus.”
Freal rarely loses focus on the field or court. He knows he won’t get 100 percent of his calls correct, but strives for excellence at all times.
“I enjoy my games with him,” said Kevin Erickson, a 21-year Snohomish County basketball official. “He’s extremely meticulous and hard on himself, (but) he smiles a lot and obviously has a good time.”
“He’s very conscientious. He knows the rules,” said Al Furniak, who has officiated local football and basketball games since the early 1970s. “He’s good with the crew — he runs the pregame and postgame meetings really well. He knows teams’ tendencies, so he’s good at preventative officiating. And he listens to both sides — he doesn’t (rush) to judgment and makes sure he gets the right answer. He deserves (this honor).”
Freal took last year off from officiating to focus on his day job at The Boeing Company, but fully intends to return this year.
“I missed it,” he said. “That’s how I know I still like doing it.”
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