The Buffalo Bills, in partnership with the National Football League, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), and the New York State Association of Certified Football Officials (NYSACFO), wish to honor five football officials from the Rochester Chapter (RCCFO) as the "Crew of the Month" for October for enhancing the student-athlete experience for high school football players in the region.
The crew includes Bob Lockhart of Webster (Referee), Jim Maxwell of Rochester (Umpire), Peter McCabe of Lakeville (Head Linesman), Wray Richardson of Hilton (Line Judge), and Ed Wood of Le Roy (Back Judge). Each member of this crew has displayed versatility, deep knowledge of the game, and leadership throughout their careers. They spearhead the development of football officials and maintain the Rochester Chapter's high levels of professionalism. Off the field, their lifelong dedication to community service and career professions speaks volumes about their character and commitment to giving back.
Bob Lockhart (Referee) has been an active and dedicated member of the Rochester Chapter of Certified Football Officials (RCCFO) for 26 years. For 15 years, Bob served in various leadership capacities on the RCCFO Executive Board, including Membership Chairman, Recruitment Chairman, Active Training Chairman, Vice President, President, and Past President. In each role, he worked diligently to strengthen the organization and promote excellence in officiating. He also served as the RCCFO Technology Specialist, bringing his extensive technical knowledge and understanding of modern electronic advancements to benefit the organization.
Professionally, Bob held leadership and technical positions with Heidelberg as Worldwide Technical Training Manager, Eastman Kodak as Product Service Manager, and, most recently, L3Harris Technologies as Senior Regional Service Manager. Now enjoying retirement, Bob continues to give generously of his time and expertise to his community. He serves The Salvation Army through Meals on Wheels and supports Lions Clubs International as a Technical Consultant.
Jim Maxwell (Umpire) has been a member of the Rochester Chapter of Certified Football Officials (RCCFO) since 2010. Over his 17 years with the organization, Jim has served in numerous leadership and service roles. He has served on the RCCFO Executive Board as Vice President and currently as President. He has also contributed to the Game Assigning Committee for youth football and the Scholarship Committee. In addition, Jim has coordinated youth scrimmage days and provided valuable on-field training and guidance to developing officials.
Maxwell has been selected to officiate Section V sectional semifinal and championship games, as well as NYSPHSAA Regional, semifinal, and championship contests.
Jim's professional fire-service career included 26 years with the Kodak Fire Department, where he ultimately retired as Battalion Chief. He later served 5.5 years with the City of Batavia, retiring as its Fire Chief. He currently serves as the Operations Supervisor for the Greece Central School District, where he oversees the trades groups responsible for maintaining 17 district facilities.
Peter McCabe (Head Linesman) joined the RCCFO in 1999. Over his 28 years of service, he has taken on a variety of important responsibilities within the organization, including roles in Training and Scheduling/Assigning. He currently serves as the Game Assignment Coordinator, working closely with Section V Athletics to coordinate officiating assignments and help ensure the successful administration of high school athletic events.
His football officiating career has also included assignments to numerous Section V sectional contests, as well as NYSPHSAA Regional, semifinal, and championship games.
In addition to serving as a high school football official, he is also a boys' lacrosse official and girls' basketball official. He is President of the Genesee Valley Lacrosse Officials Association, was named Section V Lacrosse Official of the Year, and was honored as the RCCFO Official of the Year in 2012.
Wray Richardson (Line Judge) has served as Membership and Recruitment Chairman, Banquet Chairman, Secretary, Vice President, President, and Past President during his 24 years with the RCCFO. He currently continues to serve the organization as a member of the Scholarship Committee. Wray's strong presence and consistent performance on the field have earned him recognition through numerous postseason assignments. His accomplishments include Section V sectional game assignments, NYSPHSAA Regional assignments, and selections to officiate semifinal and final games.
Wray has also supported Special Olympics New York by helping coordinate officials for the organization's Snow Bowl, now known as the Buffalo Bowl. He also volunteers at youth football scrimmages, helping train and educate new officials entering the RCCFO. During the offseason, Wray participates in high school football camp tournaments, using these opportunities to develop his officiating skills further while continuing to support other officials' development.
Ed Wood of Rochester (Back Judge) has been a member of the RCCFO since 1989. His service to the organization has included numerous roles and responsibilities, including assignments with the Training Committee, Ratings Committee, and Hospitality Committee, as well as serving as Vice President, President, Ethics Chairperson, and Scholarship Chairperson.
Throughout his career, he has officiated multiple Section V sectional semifinal and championship games. His accomplishments extend to the NYSPHSAA level, where he has worked regional, semifinal, and championship games, including assignments in 2006, 2019, and most recently in 2025.
Outside of football officiating, Ed enjoyed a career spanning more than 40 years with The Dolomite Group, a company that supplies crushed stone, sand, and gravel throughout the Greater Rochester area. He has also given his time and knowledge to both the basketball court and the baseball diamond. In basketball, he has coached AAU, Modified, and JV teams for Pavilion. In baseball, he has coached in the Instructional League and Little League and served as an assistant coach with the Pavilion varsity program.
The Buffalo Bills join every NFL team in recognizing high school football officials for their contributions to their communities. Each month of the high school football season, the Bills work with NYSACFO to identify officials who deserve the honor. The state association comprises 19 chapters across New York and 1,500 members who support high school football.
For additional information on the Crew of the Month program, please visit https://playfootball.nfl.com/resources/officiating/.
Anyone interested in becoming an official, please visit https://nysacfo.com/signupform/.
