The Central Coast Section announced that five sports officials have been selected as 2023 Golden Whistle Award recipients for the 2023 fall season.

Four of the award winners — Mark Brewer (volleyball), Rudy Bergthold (football), Debbie Johnson (football, basketball, and volleyball), and William Bunner (football, basketball, and baseball) — are locals and officiate games in Santa Cruz County. Michael McCarron (football and softball) was also honored.

Officials were nominated by their colleagues, as well as school and league administrators. The CCS Sports Committee for each sport chose winners from the submissions pool. The winners will receive an award during the CCS playoffs for their respective fall sport.

Brewer has officiated volleyball for 44 years. He has worked more than 90 CCS matches, 60 NorCal matches, including 10 championships, and one state final.

P.K. McDonald, Mount Madonna School’s athletics director and volleyball coach, said of Brewer: “Always knowledgeable about how the rules have been written and takes time to explain his calls and work with other officials to get calls right. He always does a great job of supporting youth lines officials who regularly help out during games. He has always embodied character, fairness, and dedication to excellence.”

Bergthold has served as a football official for 39 years and has worked in every CCS championship since 1990.

“It makes my day when I see Rudy assigned to ref my games,” said Louie Walters, Scotts Valley’s athletics director and football coach. “You will get one of the best refs in Santa Cruz County history and get a true professional that cares about the sport.”

Johnson has officiated football for 33 years, basketball for 15, and volleyball for seven. She has worked more than 50 playoff games in all three sports.

“Debbie can make the call, talk to the player or coach, and leave them nodding in understanding, and often smiling,” said Mark Dorfman, the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League commissioner. “She knows how to talk to people respectfully and clearly. And it helps that her knowledge of the rules and how to apply them are exceptional. In addition to her high school officiating, Debbie has also moved up to the collegiate level, which is a testament to her skill and ability.”

Bunner has officiated baseball and football games for 27 years and basketball for 23. He has worked dozens of playoff games in each sport, including six baseball championships, and three football championships. He has worked one state football championship.

Travis Fox, Aptos’ athletics directors, said Bunner is “one of the most respected officials in our area.”

Fox continued: “Bill is a friendly face to all and conducts himself with the utmost integrity at all contests.”

Dorfman said Bunner always makes the right call, and when it’s perceived otherwise, he communicates well with others.

“He talks to players and coaches the same way, calmly, clearly, and respectfully, always defusing any potential for escalation,” Dorfman said. “When Bill works one of our SCCAL games, in any sport, we all breathe a sigh of relief. Bill is a terrific official, one of the best.”