Walter Gorneau of Wiscasset was awarded the second annual Bob White Award at the first of the season meeting of the Mid-Coast Board of Approved Soccer Officials (MCBASO) on Monday, Aug. 17.

Gorneau has been officiating high school games for 48 years and college games for 44. He was a teacher of health, physical education and drivers education for 12 years in Boothbay and 19 years In Wiscasset. He also continues to officiate basketball and baseball games.

“Bob White, Rod Spearin, and I started MASO (Maine Association of Soccer Officials),” said Gorneau on Tuesday. The statewide organization was able to group officials into seven self-administrated boards throughout the state that continue to be overseen by MASO.

In presenting the award, MASO representative Sheldon Tozier said that soccer had not been recognizing top officials on a statewide basis as in other sports until last year. Bob White of Caribou received the first award in 2014. White had been the original and only state rules interpreter until a few years ago.

“He always came down here with two bags of Maine potatoes. One for the referees and one for the coaches,” said Tozier.

“I am totally surprised,” said Gorneau in accepting the recognition plaque.

Gorneau is turning over the reigns this season as the state evaluator of class one officials; and he is concerned that more young people are not joining the ranks of the veteran officials many of whom are in their 60s and older. MCBASO ranks have hovered around 45 for the last few years, which makes it difficult to assign two officials to all games.

“The kids are still 17 and 18 and we are all a year older. It is getting harder to keep up with them,” said Gorneau at the meeting in the Wiscasset High School cafeteria on Monday.