TORONTO, ONTARIO — The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) formally announces that Richard (Dick) Pepper has been named Referee in Chief for the 2020 FIL U19 Men’s World Lacrosse Championship.
Ireland Lacrosse will host the event July 9-18, 2020 at the University of Limerick in Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland.
“Thank you to the FIL. I am very proud to confirm my acceptance of this appointment. I am also very excited about the opportunity to give ‘something back’ to International Lacrosse.”
—Dick Pepper, 2020 FIL Men’s U19s Referee in Chief
“Thank you to the FIL. I am very proud to confirm my acceptance of this appointment,” said Pepper. “I am also very excited about the opportunity to give ‘something back’ to International Lacrosse.”
“We are confident that Dick will deliver a first class participant experience for both athletes and officials alike. His deep involvement with lacrosse in Ireland made him the clear choice for this event.”
—Don Blacklock, FIL Men’s Officiating Committee Chair
“We are confident that Dick will deliver a first class participant experience for both athletes and officials alike,” said Don Blacklock, FIL Men’s Officiating Committee Chair. “His experience officiating at all levels nationally and internationally and his deep involvement with lacrosse in Ireland made him the clear choice for this event.”
Pepper’s international lacrosse experience spans five Men’s World Championships having officiated at Men’s World Championships in Perth, Australia in 2002, in London, Ontario, Canada in 2006, in Manchester, England in 2010, in Turku, Finland in 2012, and in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. in 2014.
Pepper also officiated at two European Championships, in Prague, the Czech Republic in 2004 and Lahti, Finland in 2008. He has officiated in other regional tournaments in Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, and Turkey. Pepper was Referee-In-Chief for two Celtic Cups in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2009 and Limerick, Ireland in 2013.
“Dick has a long history of officiating nationally and internationally, representing Ireland. I am confident he will have the officials in top shape for the 2020 World Championship.”
—Terry Harding, FIL Director of Men’s Lacrosse
According to Terry Harding, FIL Director of Men’s Lacrosse, “Dick has a long history of officiating nationally and internationally, representing Ireland. His experience officiating at all levels of the game and his background as an educator give him the skills needed to take on this role. I have worked with Dick many times, and I am confident he will have the officials in top shape for the 2020 World Championship.”
“Ireland Lacrosse is very pleased that the FIL has appointed Dick Pepper as Referee-in-Chief for the 2020 Men’s World U19 Championships,” beamed Michael Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of Ireland Lacrosse.
Kennedy continued, “This will be the first world lacrosse championship event that Ireland has hosted. It is the culmination of decades of hard work and commitment to the development of lacrosse in Ireland, and Dick has been an integral part of that process. We’re delighted that he will now be leading a team of officials at a world championship event on our home soil.”
Pepper played lacrosse in high school at Christian Brothers Academy, Syracuse, New York from 1971 to 1974 and played at Siena College, Loudonville, New York, U.S.A. from 1975 to 1978.
Pepper’s coaching experience includes stints at three high schools in New York State from 1979 to 1987: Baldwinsville, East Syracuse-Minoa, and Christian Brothers Academy. He served as Head Coach at Christian Brothers Academy in 1986 and 1987.
Pepper currently resides in Camillus, N.Y., with his wife, Susie. His daughter Sarah Leone lives in East Syracuse with her husband, Joe and their two children, John and Ella. Sarah’s twin brother, John, played Lacrosse at West Genesee High School. John died in a car crash at age 15 in 2001 and this year marked the 15th anniversary of the Annual John Pepper Memorial Lacrosse Tournament, which benefits the West Genesee High School boy’s and girl’s lacrosse programs and several other charitable organizations.
—Press Release
For more information contact: info@worldlacrosse.sport
Official website for the FIL 2020 Men’s U19s: www.2020worldlax.com
