Roger Grumley Memorial Scholarship perfect tribute to a standout referee
ELDORADO - Family and friends of Roger Grumley say remembering him with a namesake scholarship for local student athletes is the perfect tribute to a man who loved high school sports.
Grumley passed away July 6, 2020, at the age of 54.
Besides being a standout athlete for Eldorado High School where he graduated in 1983, Grumley was well-known throughout southern Illinois as a standout referee.
"He refereed for 30 years before he retired from it," Grumley's daughter, Ashlea Grumley said. "He did basketball and football and baseball at the start. He let baseball go, then eventually he let football go and concentrated on basketball the last several years."
Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi and insurance agent Eric Brannock of Eldorado refereed with Grumley as a crew for many years. His passing was a loss for family and friends as well as the community, they say.
"He was a special friend of mine, and I miss him every day," Alongi said. "We used to have talks once a week at 10:30 at night, once he was settled in and I was settled in."
"Being a referee was his way of still being involved in the game of sports," Brannock said. "He and I both felt like we were out there to serve the kids playing."
Grumley was a three-sport athlete for EHS, playing baseball, basketball and football. He also played American Legion baseball and went on to play for Southeastern Illinois College.
He also coached, and Ashlea said the years he spent as a volunteer coach for her when she played softball and basketball for the Pope County Pirates was a special time.
"He started coaching me in T-ball down there, and he was an assistant coach for me in basketball in junior high and then high school softball and basketball," Ashlea, who graduated from PCHS in 2015, said. "Obviously, he was in sports his whole life, and he taught me a lot about the game. He taught me sportsmanship, integrity and positivity; how to be a good teammate as well as being a good person."
She said her dad's optimism stays with her through this day.
"That was something really good about him. He was never negative," she said. "Even if I was having a bad day or made a bad play, he'd say 'Just do better next time.' He was always positive."
Grumley's sister, Becky Seely of Ridgway, said the Roger Grumley Memorial Athletic Scholarship will provide a scholarship to one Eldorado student-athlete and one from Pope County High School.
"Those were the two places he spent the most time involved in sports," Seely said.
Besides being a former EHS athlete, Grumley also was a longtime supporter of Eldorado Youth Athletics.
While it's one matter for family and friends to recognize a talent, Ashlea says she had no idea her father's talent as a referee would be recognized at the state level. As an official, Grumley was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame together with Brannock, with whom he had refereed his whole 30-year career.
"I was 14 at the time, and honestly it was overwhelming for a 14-year-old. I realized, 'Wow! He is kind of a big deal,' she said, recalling the induction ceremony. "I remember him getting the trophy with the ball, and going up on stage. I was really proud of him, and it was a cool event."
Now that the scholarship has been established, those wishing to make a donation to the scholarship's fund may do so at any Legence Bank, Ashlea said.
Meanwhile, Ashlea, Becky, Alongi and Brannock all agree that Roger Grumley would love knowing that student-athletes will have some help.
"I think putting that scholarship together is a fitting tribute to him," Alongi said. "He was all about the players and all about the game. He was the type of official who, after the ballgame and people would ask, 'Who were the referees?' people would say, 'I don't remember.'"
"Rog had a big heart and sports was his thing. It is fitting they're doing that for him in his honor," Brannock said. "He wasn't just about all the rules. He helped kids learn about the game and learn about life. This would make him smile."