The following information is from Margie's very poor memory, so if you have corrections or additions, please let her know.
The first real judge that I can remember was Diane King, an Elite judge who worked with Vannie Edwards, in north LA. I don't think there were many rated officials, because parents and/or coaches were sometimes called out of the stands to fill in on one or more events. I actually hired DD Breaux to come judge a high school meet back in the early 70s (most of the time we coaches did the judging). She travelled to Alexandria, did a great job, I thanked her and she got back in her car and drove home. It was only later that someone told me that she was supposed to get paid! Boy, have things changed! Other real judges in those early years included Diane LeBlanc (now in MO) and Joanie Johnson.
Lydia Jennings (now Landry) served the state as SJD for many years. She actually had a Board and did some meet assigning, although most meet directors got their judges from a pool of rated officials by simply asking them to judge. Lydia did lots of education and testing and helped create an active organization.
Two other people were highly instrumental in developing judges: Smo Didomenica and Delene Darst. Smo held a clinic every year on the weekend following New Year's. He brought Delene Darst, one of the organizers of JCI, NAWGJ and the USGF, in LA to teach both coaches and judges about the latest rules and regulations. Many of us owe much of our early training to Smo and Delene.
Margie Pearce served as SJD from 1983 - 1986.
Joy Schmidt was SJD from 1986 - 1991.
Brenda Eberhardt has been SJD since 1991.
Both the state and national organizations have grown and become much more professional over the years. While you can't make a living as a gymnastics judge, we are paid, and enjoy the respect of most coaches and parents. |
