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Patti Knappe started officiating in 1976.  Forty-six years later she is still working which indicates just how dedicated and hard-working she is as an official.  She was a pioneer in officiating girls track when the sport was in its infancy.  Knappe was a two-time President of the Girls Association in the 1980s.   She also served in the same capacity when the boys and the girls associations merged in the 2007.  In addition, she served for many years as the State Association’s Secretary.  Knappe is always respectful to everyone and goes out of her way to help anyone in need of assistance during a meet.  Her judgement is impeccable when timing, calling infractions, and how she deals with very anxious athletes or sometimes angry coaches.  Even after “retiring” from officiating, she answered the call when there were official shortages during the worst of COVID-19.  

To date, Mrs. Knappe has officiated over 85 State Championships (Indoor & Outdoor), mostly in the key role of chief clerk.  Along with Norm Holden, the Suffolk Coaches Association gives out a scholarship that bears her name to a female athlete from the Winter track season.   

Jan O’Shea- Jan advocated for progressive action by local school districts to comply with Title IX in the early days after it’s passage.   She was a founding member and served as President of Girls’ Track and Field at both the local and state level.  O’Shea was President at the state level from the late 1970s through the 1980s until the Boys and Girls State Associations merged. She was the rules interpreter and referee at the state level for many years.  In addition to officiating track and field, O’Shea has worked in the sports of volleyball, field hockey, softball and was the first female Varsity Football Official on Long Island.  Jan left Suffolk County Track Officials in 1990 but continued to officiate Track and Field in Section IV area of Binghamton/Southern Tier, continuing to work state meets. In total, O’Shea officiated state meets for five decades from the 1970s up until 2021 when she retired. 

John Quigley was a long time official in Suffolk County and the New York City area.  He was known for his work as a starter, a position of great importance in a meet.  Quigley worked back in the days when Winter Track meets, including championship meets, were held outdoors.  He would allow athletes to wear their sweats for as long as possible to stay warm. “Alright gentlemen, strip down and remember, I am going to hold you,” he would say at the start of each race. The seriousness in his voice had everyone rush to take off their sweats and get ready to run.  Quigley didn’t hold the runners for a particularly long amount of time, but he did want them to relax and avoid a false start. Like many officials, Quigley was a runner himself.  He ran for Bishop Loughlin in the city back in the late 1930s.  In 1939, he received a full scholarship to Manhattan College and had dreams of being an Olympian. His best event was the 440yd run where he set a record of 47.2 (46.9 – 400m) that stood until 1954.  Quigley ran for two years before being drafted to fight in WWII.  While serving, he was a highly decorated soldier for his heroics. He was even taken prisoner by the Germans for a period of time. Luckily, he survived, came home, and managed to finish his degree in 1948. 

Kelley has just completed his 36th year of officiating winter & spring track this past year (2025) for Section XI.  In those years, Paul served as President of the boys’ track association from 2004 to 2008. After his tenure as president, Kelley moved to the position of Vice-president and has been the rules interpreter for the last 15 years.  He also teaches the Association’s officials class taken by all new officials before they can start working. The wisdom that he has gained over the years has been passed down to the next generation. 

On the track, Kelley has acted as chief finish judge, clerk and referee at numerous championships. He was the starter for the indoor & outdoor state qualifiers from 2000 to 2011.  Paul has been the chief referee for the state qualifiers for the last fourteen years.

In 2023, Kelley was presented the Dick Teetsel Award given to the outstanding track official in New York State.  Then in 2024, another honor, the Ken Smith Memorial Award for leadership and service to New York State Track and Field, was bestowed upon Kelley. That award is one that Kelley was very proud to have received.  

As if working 45 indoor and outdoor State Track and Field Championships was not enough to keep him busy, Kelley has been the course coordinator at Sunken Meadow for cross country for the past twelve years. That is a physically difficult and time-consuming job maintaining the park’s courses from August through November.

When speaking with Paul about his honor of being elected to the Hall of Fame, he said has no plans on stopping any time soon. His comment struck me as a person who truly loves his work. “I believe in Suffolk County we have the best coaches, officials and young lady and gentlemen athletes.  It has been a wonderful 36 years working with the everyone, hopefully there will be many more.”