CHERRY TWP — Erin (Ward) Witman remembers well how her father supported her during her athletic career.

Given the chance to return the favor, she was present at Moniteau High School Wednesday afternoon as Steve Ward was recognized for his 50 years of officiating high school sports.

“My dad never missed one of my competitions in high school and college ... not one,” said Witman, a 1997 graduate of Butler High School where she starred in soccer, basketball and track before competing in all three sports at Geneva College. “It took me a while to fully appreciate that. Now that I have my own kids, I know how much it means to me to be at their events.

“I wanted to be here to support his dedication.”

Witman now lives in Carlisle, a 200-mile drive from Butler. She and two of her three children made the trip Tuesday and spent that night at a cousin's house so her father, a resident of Connoquenessing Township, would not suspect anything. He was not aware of Wednesday's ceremony.

Steve was scheduled to officiate a track meet between North Clarion and Moniteau, but when he arrived, he was led to the school's gymnasium, where a crowd had gathered to thank him for his five decades of service to high school athletics.

“I didn't know anything about it until I walked into the gym,” he said. “It definitely caught me by surprise.”

While Erin was an athlete at Butler and Geneva, Steve Ward would accept only officiating assignments that did not conflict with Erin's games. It was often a difficult task since Erin played a sport in every season and Steve officiated football, basketball and track.

“Being able to make all of Erin's events, that's the thing I'm most proud of when it comes to sports,” he said.

It was fitting that Moniteau hosted Wednesday's ceremony. It was in this very gym that Ward worked his first varsity basketball game in the late 1970s.

Ward was given several keepsakes, including a track baton signed by members of Moniteau's track and field teams, a football helmet, a basketball and a plaque.

“It takes someone special to be an official, let alone someone who has done it for decades,” Moniteau athletic director John Stoughton said during the ceremony.

Moniteau football coach Bob Rottman added: “The time Steve has put in shows the passion he has for high school athletics. I share that passion with him and can appreciate it.”

Ward, 68, was touched by the words spoken about him, but also by the mere gesture of recognizing his time and effort.

“The people at Moniteau, they're a class act,” he said. “They did the same thing for Art Monteleone (a fellow official) a while back. I know it took John a tremendous amount of time to put something like this together. It's very humbling.”

Local politicians were present, including Butler County commissioner Kevin Boozel and State Rep. Marci Mustello (R-11th). A note of gratitude was passed on to Ward from State Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21st) as was a certificate of congressional recognition from U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly.

Moniteau boys basketball coach Mike Jewart spoke directly to Ward, pointing out that “the number of officials is dwindling and we're grateful for people like you who keep coming out and allowing us to have these competitions.”

Ward said that while high school football is seeing the most problems with lack of officials, every sport is being affected.

“Whether it's the pressure or harassment from coaches and fans, it's something that young people just don't want to get involved in,” he said. “Some think that they can become an official and start working varsity games right away, but you have to work your way up. I was a basketball official for seven or eight years before I started working varsity games.”

Ward's wife, Karen, was right there alongside him, supporting Erin during her athletic career. But she has also been a big reason why her husband has been an official for so long.

“I'm sure there were times when there were things she wanted us to do,” Ward said. “ My whole family has always been supportive of me, but Karen has been the rock behind it all.

“I've known officials over the years whose marriages didn't hold up because of all the time they spent away from home,” added Ward.

Steve and Karen Ward have been married for 48 years. Their two sons, Brian and Adam, also played sports at Butler.

Shortly after Wednesday's ceremony, Ward made his way outside to Moniteau's track. After all, there was a meet about to begin.

“Fifty years ... When I started, I never thought that far ahead,” he said. “But I knew I wanted to do it for a while.

“Your body has to hold up and fortunately, mine has allowed me to stay with it.

“I've always enjoyed being around the kids and you can't have competitions without officials,” he added.