Ernie Gallaher
is calling the shots

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

The referee.
He is known by many titles. His decisions can make or break a game. And if he does his job right, you won’t even notice that he’s there.
"I take a lot of pride in the job," said Northeast resident and longtime referee Ernie Gallagher. "These kids work very hard for a long time to get here. We owe it to them to be professional and accurate."
Gallagher has been calling games throughout Northeast Philadelphia for 23 years. He has officiated local basketball, softball, football and lacrosse competitions, and most recently called the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Father Judge and Abraham Lincoln high schools.
"It was a lot fun," said Gallagher, a Father Judge graduate who has been officiating the annual rivalry for seven years. "It’s a great experience to be a part of your alma mater. You get to see so many people you went to school with."
For the first time in his career, Gallagher stepped up as head referee on Thanksgiving, also known as wearing the "white hat." Along with the new title came additional responsibility, such as meeting with the coaches before the game, the coin flip with the captains, ensuring everyone is in the right position and managing the entire game.
"I take it very personal when I go out and officiate," he said. "I still get nervous before games. I want to always do the best job I can do."
To be a high-school referee in Philadelphia, candidates must attend various field trials and clinics, various meetings and undergo a full background check.
While the meetings teach officials-in-the-making all the rules and regulations, the field trials and clinics take more of a hands-on approach.
"In football, they’ll take one week to show you everything about the passing game, another week to cover kicking, another for defense and so on," said Gallagher.
Toward the end of the training, a field trial is held, where about 60 or 70 officials go to the Keystone Games held annually in the summer.
"A lot of times, people will start officiating little kids’ sports and work their way up to a high-school level," said Gallagher. "Right now we’re very short on officials. Anyone who wants to become an official can."
Gallagher’s first experience as a sports official came at 17, when he called games for a rough-touch football league. He has come a long way, working such high-profile events as the 2001 state title football game in Hershey, Pa., as well as numerous Philadelphia Catholic League title games.
"I worked a few college games, mostly in Valley Forge, but I like high school much better because the games are closer to home and my family," said Gallagher.
He and his wife Debbie have three daughters, Borianna, Regan and Kiley.
"All three of my girls play basketball, and Regan and Kiley play softball too," he said. "The kids come out a lot to see me officiate, which is always a great feeling."
Other people in the game, however, do not have the same closeness and family support as the Gallaghers. And according to the ref himself, that can lead to the toughest part of his job.
"Some of these parents are all-time worst," said Gallagher. "In some situations, both parents have to work, so they don’t have chance to see their kids. So when they see kids play on a Saturday, they erupt if things don’t go their way.
"A lot of times, I’ll see a kid walk off the field with his head down," he continued. "I’ll ask him, ‘Is that your dad yelling at me?’ and he’ll say yes and apologize. Then I’ll say, ‘You don’t worry about that. Go back out there and keep playing hard.’"
Gallagher, 41, has always appreciated the importance of family — especially because, as a child, his was taken away far too soon.
In 1977, Gallagher’s father was working as a bartender when he stopped serving a customer who was visibly intoxicated. The customer left the bar, but he returned minutes later and shot and killed Gallagher’s father.
"It was very rough," recalled Gallagher. "My mother had diabetes, so me and my brother and sister took care of my mom."
Three years later, Gallagher’s mother was scheduled to receive a kidney transplant. She never made it through surgery.
"She died during my first week of high school," said Gallagher. "The main thing it taught me was responsibility, you have to fend for yourself."
After his parents’ untimely deaths, Gallagher made the decision to follow in his father’s footsteps — and enter the world of officiating.
"My dad was an official," said Gallagher. "I always went to sporting events with him. Me and my brother both ended up becoming officials too."
Ernie’s brother, Timmy, has been a local referee for 26 years. The two have called games side by side on several occasions, including the Public League football championship in 2006 between Frankford and George Washington high schools.
"It’s a unique feeling to be out there together," said Gallagher. "We know our father is looking down on us."
Before his days of refereeing games, Gallagher found solace on the other end of the sidelines, playing basketball for the Crusaders.
"I spent a lot of time with coach (Bill) Fox after mom and dad passed away," recalled Gallagher. "I remember back in high school listening to his philosophies. He was teaching basketball, but also teaching you about life."
The guard wasn’t a star on the court, but he enjoyed his share of success.
"I was never the biggest kid in the world, but I always went out there and tried my hardest," said Gallagher, who graduated from Father Judge in 1985. "Coach Fox always told us to go out and give it our best. And I still follow that mindset. A lot of things I do — in business and officiating — I I always give my absolute best effort."
Away from the sports world, Gallagher makes a living with A-Best, a vending business he has worked with for two decades.
"It can be rough juggling both work and officiating," he said. "There’s a lot of hours. Thank God my wife is a strong person. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without her. She is a living saint.
"I hope to stay with it for a long time, though," he added. "I love it. I hope I got twenty more years in me. The kids are the best part. Being out there and enjoying the kids and the game is a great feeling. That’s what keeps me going — being a part of that." ••