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A remarkable journey

Priester announces retirement from USATF officiating

By Scott Kindberg 4 min read

Fifty years ago, Tom Priester wrote a letter to Governor Hugh Carey suggesting a "Physical Education Week" proclamation for New York State. Then the newly named PE director at Southwestern Central School, Priester told friends, "He won't pay any attention because he's a busy man, but at least it is worth a try."

Well, guess what?

Carey agreed, ultimately signing the document that marked March 1-7, 1976 with that special designation. A half-century has passed since then, but the discovery this week of an article written by former Post-Journal sports editor Frank Hyde describing Priester's actions -- courtesy of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame website -- is wonderfully ironic.

And it got me thinking: Maybe there should be proclamations honoring Priester, because his life's work certainly merits recognition at the highest levels.

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The press release from USA Track & Field Niagara reads, in part:

"After more than four decades of dedicated service to the sport, Tom Priester is retiring from track & field officiating, leaving behind a legacy defined by professionalism, integrity, mentorship and an unwavering commitment to athletes."

That missive -- which arrived this week -- perfectly describes the man I first came to know through friends who attended SWCS in the 1970s. And once my sportswriting career began in the early 1980s, I learned up close the kind of coach and, later, the type of official he was.

No one did it better.

But now the 86-year-old West Ellicott resident has announced his retirement from USATF meets.

"Since becoming a USATF official in 1985," the press release continued, "(Priester) has earned a reputation as one of the nation's most accomplished and dependable running event officials, always placing fairness and the athlete experience at the center of every competition."

And, boy, -- deep breath here -- has he witnessed competition.

Along the way, Priester has worked multiple Olympic Trials, NCAA championships, USATF championships, Junior Olympic championships and international competitions, while continuing to mentor new officials and support meets throughout the Niagara association. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Charles Ruter Award, one of USATF's highest recognitions for running event officials, along with multiple USATF Officials Committee Service Awards and numerous state and regional officiating honors.

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Priester's trips across the United States through the years have afforded him the opportunity to see some of the best athletes on the planet. He detailed a few of his experiences for a Post-Journal article in 2016. Two of his favorites are Fredonia native Jenn Suhr, the Olympic gold medalist in the pole vault and -- like Priester -- a Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame inductee; and Bryan Clay, the decathlete who has family living in the area.

Then there was an occasion in 2008 when he earned some TV time while working the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

"I was behind the starting line and (sprinter) Justin Gatlin was on one side and Tyson Gay was on the other," Priester recalled. "I'm thinking, 'These two guys are medaling in the Olympics and I'm standing in the middle.'"

There was no other place Priester would have wanted to be.

"When I'm there, I can watch the athletes and see how good these people are and, at the same time, stay focused on my job," he said in 2016. "We go by the motto, 'If you THINK you saw it, you didn't. If you KNOW you saw it, you write it. I feel it's important that you keep the playing field fair. I have no qualms. If I see a violation, I write it up.

"It's either do the best you can or don't bother to show up."

For more than four decades, Priester did more than show up, he showed out.

"As Tom steps away from officiating, the track & field community celebrates a career that has touched thousands of athletes and countless fellow officials," the USATF Niagara press release said. "His influence will continue to be felt long after his final meet."

Priester won't be retiring from track & field officiating entirely, however, as he intends to work NCAA and local high school meets.

The remarkable journey of a remarkable man will continue.

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