A-Panel Mark Wheeler toils in obscurity

Mark Wheeler is your referee on wheels. Perhaps he’s got wings. He’s always on the go. This past weekend (March 13) he was in Provo, Utah, at the Brigham Young University campus. Two weeks ago he refereed the BYU-Air Force Academy match in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was his second trip to that state in February.

LABOR OF LOVE FOR THE SPORT: Mark Wheeler travels 10-15 weeks of the year to officiate rugby games around the country. Unless U.S. Rugby goes professional soon, Mr. Wheeler and his A-Panel collegues will not make the world's top-level of rugby refereeing. (Photo by SAMokofisi)

These were Collegiate Division matches. BYU was playing University of Utah for the right to represent Utah Rugby Union in the Pacific Coast Union playoffs. In January, he made two trips to New Orleans. From BYU he is scheduled to travel back to Colorado.

"Sir, how long are you here for?" Even though he was not yet on the field, one still addresses a rugby referee as "Sir" once he has his uniform on.

"Til tomorrow morning; I’ll be gone then," he replied.

Back to Colorado: There he would start a busy schedule in the Super League’s new season. This is the premier men’s league in the USA. On March 27 the Gentlemen of Aspen hosts the Olympic Club Blues of San Francisco, in Aspen.

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