Saskatoon teacher served as head referee in Sunday’s Grey Cup

The Green and White weren’t on the field during the 110th Grey Cup game on Sunday, but one of the people wearing black and white was representing Saskatchewan.

Tim Kroeker, a Grade 7 teacher in Saskatoon, served as the head referee when the Montreal Alouettes beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers  28-24 in Hamilton.

Kroeker has served as a CFL official for 17 years. He said it’s an honour to be chosen for the position.

“All the officials are the highest-rated at their position,” he said.

It was Kroeker’s first time on the Grey Cup field as the referee, but it was his sixth appearance in a Grey Cup game. He previously helped officiate the championship game as a line judge and backup referee.

Kroeker said his interest in refereeing started back in 1996, after he was inspired – and recruited – by his first principal, a local official.

One of Kroeker’s fondest in-game memories was taking part in his first Grey Cup in Montreal in 2008. He said another special experience was the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto.

Before Sunday, Kroeker said he prepared both physically and mentally by running, lifting weights and studying.

He said he was looking forward to enjoying the moment and making sure the game is called fairly for both teams.

“We’re not the story – that’s the important part,” he said. “The players are the story.”