FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETORONTO, ONTARIO—The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) has announced the appointment of two long-time organization leaders to committee chair positions.
Tom Sutton of Eden, New York, has been named Chair of the FIL Men’s Officiating Committee and Brad Scibak, of Woodbury, Minnesota, has been appointed Chair of the Men’s Rules Committee.
Terry Harding, FIL’s Director of Men’s Lacrosse, was pleased with both appointments.
“Tom [Men’s Officiating Chair] has the respect of the international officiating community. Brad is uniquely qualified for this role [Men’s Rules Chair].”
—Terry Harding, FIL Director of Men’s Lacrosse
“Tom Sutton brings a storied officiating career and years of international and professional officiating experience in both field and indoor lacrosse,” said Harding. “Tom has excellent people and teaching skills and has the respect of the international officiating community. He is an excellent choice to replace Don Blacklock, who just finished two outstanding, productive and very appreciated terms as chair.”
Harding also had high praises for Brad Sciback, saying, “Brad has been a men’s rules committee member for many years and has served as the lead committee member for indoor lacrosse. He is uniquely qualified for this role having refereed international men’s lacrosse, professional indoor lacrosse and is currently a US Lacrosse district governor.” Harding concluded, “Brad replaces Robin Howie who had to step off the rules committee for personal reasons.”\Tom Sutton, FIL Men’s Officiating Chair
Sutton has officiated at the highest levels of lacrosse, including eight championship games in Major League Lacrosse (MLL), three National League Lacrosse (NLL) championships and three NCAA Division I finals.
He was the FIL representative overseeing all aspects or officiating at the 2015 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in Syracuse, referee-in-chief for the 2014 FIL World Championship in Denver and refereed the 2006 ILF Gold Medal game.Sutton has provided leadership in officiating organizations at the state and national levels including chairman of US Lacrosse’s Men’s Game Officials Subcommittee and Director of Development for the National Intercollegiate Lacrosse Officials Association. He has served as a rules interpreter and national clinician for US Lacrosse, where he developed and trained officials to ensure consistency throughout the country.
“It is an exciting time for the FIL and to be able to part of its future is truly an honor,” said Sutton. “The work that Don Blacklock and his predecessors accomplished provides a great foundation to build on. The opportunity to work with the best officials from nations around the globe is something that I look forward to.”Brad Scibak, FIL Men’s Rules Chair
Scibak, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, has over four decades of experience with the game of lacrosse. His career began 41 years ago as a box (indoor) lacrosse official in Manitoba and has since officiated box at all levels in dozens of locales from Pee Wee to Senior Men’s. He also has 39 years of officiating experience in field lacrosse.
Representing Canada, he has officiated at the 2002 FIL Men’s World Championship in Perth, Australia, and the 2006 FIL Men’s World Championships in London, England, including both events’ gold medal games.Scibak’s officiating experience includes five US field championships, 35 Canadian National Junior and Senior Championships, a Founder’s Cup, and a President’s Cup. Scibak officiated lacrosse in just about every city in Canada that has lacrosse and in numerous cities in 15 states in the United States. In his home state of Minnesota, he has officiated at all levels from youth to college and post-collegiate.
Scibak is ready for the challenge of chairing the rules committee for the FIL – “It is my honor to serve the FIL community as the Men’s Rules Chair. The sport of Lacrosse has grown dramatically and along with a great team of volunteers, coaches and organizers we will establish well-structured rules suitable for all levels and types of Men’s Lacrosse.”
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