MECHANICSBURG — A seven-member crew of football officials from the Erie County Chapter of PIAA Football Officials has been recognized by the Pittsburgh Steelers for its professionalism, teamwork and commitment to high school football.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association announced the crew as its October recipient of the NFL/National Federation of State High School Associations Football Officiating Crew of the Month recognition.
The District X crew includes Darren DeFranco of Lake City, referee; Chris McNally of Girard, umpire; Norm Stanford of Lawrence, head linesman; Lisa Spacht of Mill Creek, line judge; Daniel Bross of Wattsburg, side judge; Chet Skinner of Waterford, back judge; and Jon Muller of Mill Creek, field judge.
The crew was nominated by L.J. Frisina, District X male officials representative, who praised the officials for their dedication to improving their skills and providing a high level of service to competing teams.
“This seven-person crew has been very dedicated on and off the field,” Frisina said. “They take their craft very seriously and always want to perform at their highest level to benefit the competing teams.”
Frisina said the crew regularly holds offseason study sessions attended by all seven members to improve their officiating. He added that PIAA has confidence in the crew and assigns it to high-level competitions.
Frisina has a long history in District 10 athletics. He began his coaching career as an assistant baseball coach with the Corry Beavers in 1994, helping the team win Erie County League championships in 1997 and 1998. He has served as a PIAA basketball official for 36 years, officiating three state championship games and eight semifinals. He has also spent two decades representing officials on the District 10 Committee.
PIAA Executive Director Mark E. Byers said officials play an essential role in Pennsylvania high school sports, and the recognition highlights their dedication, integrity and leadership in serving student-athletes and their communities.
Spacht is the second female official from Pennsylvania to receive recognition through the initiative. This is the fourth PIAA football officiating crew recognized through the NFL/NFHS program and the third recognized by the Steelers.
The national initiative began during the 2023-24 school year with five state associations and five NFL clubs participating. During the 2026-27 school year, it expanded to include 29 state associations and all 32 NFL clubs, recognizing the work of high school football officials across the country.
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