(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
On Monday, April 23, the Chelsea Kiwanis Club heard from Phil Boham who regaled club members with stories about what it is like being so close to the action at University of Michigan football and basketball games.
He has served as a sideline and courtside official for 33 years in the Big House, and 31 years at Crisler Arena and compared coaching styles of Jim Harbaugh with his predecessors, all the way back to Bo Schembechler.
As the senior official, he can decide which side of the field he works. More importantly, he has successfully avoided serious injury despite the action taking place near him.
Having officiated high school games in the past, Boham commented on the big difference in size and speed of the athletes in college.
Also, he thought the NCAA should offer some payment to the student athletes because their student life is tightly limited to their studies and their sport, and because the NCAA can afford it.
The club will be cheering on participants at Cooper’s Fun Run at Hudson Mills Metropark, on Friday, May 11, then on Saturday, May 12, club members will staff a water station on Freer Road for the Heart and Sole Run/Walk.
The club meeting begins each Monday at 6:15 p.m. in the St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital cafeteria, and the speakers begin at about 6:45 p.m. Everyone is invited to the club’s meetings to learn about Kiwanis.
Go to www.kiwanisclubofchelsea.org for more information.
