Airman follows by second rulebook off-duty

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles Dickens
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Some Airmen are content with coming to work every day, doing their job and going home, while others strive for more.

Airman 1st Class Ross Crimaldi, finance customer service technician of 14th Comptroller Squadron, has a second passion aside from his military career; being a hockey referee.

Crimaldi started refereeing at the age of 15 and has been ever since. What started out as a side job for a bit of extra money has turned into a passion for him.

"I went to a tournament my third or fourth year officiating and there was a group of guys that I met there," said Crimaldi. "Seeing how seriously they took it and how good they were, that impressed me. That left an impression on me that said "I want to be as good as they are; I want to be better than they are.""

He started by refereeing for youth leagues and has worked up to junior and collegiate level leagues. Crimaldi has even recently been refereeing for some pro-league games.

When first beginning, refereeing can be an extensive job, said Crimaldi. "I've done four to five games in one day before."

Crimaldi started playing hockey at seven years-old and continued through high school where he became more interested in being a referee than actually playing.

"I was looking for another job and another way to be involved in the game of hockey," said Crimaldi.

Crimaldi also notes that refereeing has had a positive impact on his military career and vice-versa.

"Understanding the commitment that it takes to be a well-rounded Airman made me realize how much I wasn't doing as an official," said Crimaldi.

On the flip-side of things, "being a referee is customer service; you are serving the players and you are serving the coaches," said Crimaldi. "If someone is mad at you on the ice, you have to learn how to diffuse the situation."

Refereeing is a job that does more than just calls a game whether on the ice, field, etc., it allows people who are interested give something back to a game that they enjoy or love.
"Hockey is a sport you can be involved in your whole life whether it's being a player, coach or referee," said Crimaldi.