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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Johnson Takes Over Higgins' Role

The Canadian Football League (CFL) is pleased to announce the appointment of former Head Referee Glen Johnson as its’ new Vice President, Officiating.

“While Glen’s talents as an on-field official will be sorely missed, we are absolutely thrilled he has agreed to take on this tremendously important role within the league office,” said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League.

“His officiating experience, expertise, pedigree, professionalism and passion for our game are truly second to none. His leadership abilities have been proven throughout his career, in the boardroom as well as on the football field. And he is perfectly qualified to direct and develop our strong team of CFL officials.”

Glen retires from the field following a decorated 24 year career, officiating in 416 games and having earned 11 Grey Cup appointments. He has refereed some of our game’s most storied finals, notably: 1995 when a US based team won the Cup; 2005 when the game went into overtime for only the second time in history; and the 100th Grey Cup in 2012.

It has been an honour to officiate alongside trusted colleagues who are dedicated and passionate about our great game, its integrity and their important role within it,” Johnson said.

“I welcome this opportunity to work with them in a new way at a time that the CFL is entering an exciting modern era marked by new stadiums, expansion and business growth.”

Glen has served on the CFL’s Officiating Subcommittee and the Rules Committee for more than 10 years. He was instrumental in negotiating the first contract between the CFL and its officials in 2004. In 2013, Glen was hired in a part-time role as the league’s Technical Director for officiating. Glen’s father, Gord, also officiated in the CFL for a period of 15 years earning 4 Grey Cup assignments. They remain the only father and son to have officiated a Grey Cup game.

As an athlete, Glen played major junior and university hockey in Canada.

Glen brings significant breadth to the officiating department having also been a professional baseball umpire, and Baseball Canada’s Umpire in Chief where he implemented national training, development and evaluation programs. He adds International experience to this having umpired several World Championships and the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996.

He has had a very successful 27 year career as a technology executive leading major growth, innovation, and change initiatives with firms such as GE Capital, Deloitte, Manulife Financial and Intelliware Development. He has a deep understanding of the use of social media and mobile technologies that he will bring to his new position.

(CFL)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm actually OK with this. Johnson is at least a former ref unlike Higgins and may be able to find some things that can be corrected rather easily.

peter dalla riva