Big Sky coordinator of football officials Doug Toole, center, will be inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
Big Sky Conference coordinator of football officials Doug Toole will be enshrined in the Utah Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday night in Salt Lake City.
Toole, a native of Coalville, Utah, has been with the Big Sky Conference since 1999. He spent 19 seasons as a National Football League official, working Super Bowls XXXII and XXXV. In addition, he worked five conference championships and several divisional playoff games. Toole’s final game was the 2007 Pro Bowl.
“It means a lot,’’ Toole said of his induction. “It’s probably the most humbling award I’ve ever received. It’s just unbelievable. It’s a humbling experience. I’ve had a lot of support from family and friends, and a wonderful wife who let me do this.’’
Toole attended high school at North Summit in Coalville, and graduated in 1963 from Utah State. He attended physical therapy school at Stanford, graduating in 1964.
Toole began his officiating career in 1960, and began working in the Big Sky Conference in 1972. He began working Western Athletic Conference games in 1975.
Toole estimated that nearly 230 of his friends, family and colleagues will attend Wednesday night’s banquet at Energy Solutions Arena. He’ll be inducted with longtime Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, former Weber State head men’s basketball coach and Jazz assistant Phil Johnson, as well as former basketball player Natalie Williams, and former Utah Ute All-American softball player Annette Ausseresses.
“This is a tremendous honor for Doug,’’ said Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton. “Every summer when we host our officials’ clinic, many of Doug’s former NFL colleagues attend and I witness the admiration and respect they all have for him. The entire Big Sky family congratulates Doug Toole on enshrinement.’’
Toole has previously been inducted into both the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, and the Utah High School Activities Association Officials Hall of Fame.