BETWEEN THE STRIPES

About the Book

“An official’s sense of humor is very important. It is his ability to put himself in the stands as a fan and laugh at his own mistakes.” - John Laurie John Laurie, Ph.D. began his officiating career over 40 years ago. He has officiated at every level including over 25 years as a referee in the Big 8 and Big XII Football Conferences. He served as president of the Football Officials Associations of both conferences and is a member of the Kansas Collegiate Officials Hall of Fame. He officiated as a referee at numerous college championships including the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl.

About the Author

John Laurie, Ph.D. has been an educator for 40 years. He has been recognized as an innovative high school principal in Topeka, Kansas; Springfield, Missouri; Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and Blue Valley, Overland Park, Kansas. He was also an Associate Professor at Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas and Baker University, Baldwin, Kansas. He is presently retired. He was honored as “Missouri High School Principal of the Year” and received the “Alumni Fellow Award from the College of Education” from Kansas State University. Laurie received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Kansas State University and his Masters Degree from the University of Colorado. He developed a block schedule for high schools that is used in over 4000 schools (The Hillcrest Plan), as well as many of our department of Defense Schools worldwide. He has presented on this topic in 37 states and in Panama, Japan, Belgium, Australia and Germany. His officiating career spans over 40 years. He has officiated Kansas state high school football and basketball championships at every level. Laurie officiated small college football and basketball for over 20 years. He was a referee in the Big 8 Conference for 13 years, 11 years in the Big XII Conference and Replay Official for the Big XII Conference for three years. He was also president of both Big 8 and Big XII Football Associations. Laurie officiated as a referee at numerous conference championships as well as the following Bowl games: Rose Bowl (2), Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl (2), Coca-Cola Bowl (Japan), Sun Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Aloha Bowl and Mobile Bowl. He is also the author of the following books: MANAGING THE GAME, WHY I DON’T BOO OFFICIALS, BETWEEN THE STRIPES: ZANY ZEBRA ZINGERS and BETWEEN THE STRIPES: A LEADER’S PLAYBOOK FOR EARNING YOUR STRIPES PART I and PART II.