CRW Alumnus Officiates Army/Navy Game
NCAA Official Todd Riddick
With the college football season recently coming to an end, ECU Campus Recreation & Wellness would like to take a minute to recognize ECU alumnus Todd Riddick for his participation in the Army-Navy game as a member of the officiating crew. Todd graduated from ECU in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications focusing on Media Productions and a minor in Recreation & Leisure Studies. Todd also received his Master’s in Recreation and Leisure Facilities and Services Administration at ECU as well. Starting as an intramural flag football official during his sophomore year, it did not take long for Todd to get very involved in Campus Recreation & Wellness. During his time as an undergrad student, Todd officiated for flag football, softball, and basketball, worked as an Intramural Site Manager, Program Assistant, and Summer Sports Camp Counselor. Later on he became the Intramural Graduate Assistant and was given the opportunity to become the Intramural Sports Coordinator, and later held the position of Intramural Sport and Youth & Family Program Director until June 2008.
Throughout his time with ECU, Todd continued to work as an official for high school and Division 3 college football games. In 2008 Todd was hired by a Division 2 conference, where he continued to officiate for several years, including multiple playoff games. Todd was hired by the AAC as a “full-time” official in 2015 after working the previous year as a supplemental official and he has been working with the AAC ever since, although he has never officiated a game in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
This year marked the 120th occurrence of the Army-Navy game, making it one of college football’s oldest rivalries. Todd explained in his interview that being able to officiate the Army-Navy game is up there with the National Championship and the Rose Bowl for games that every college official wants to participate in during their career.
“The ENTIRE student body for both academies march onto the field by company and then are in the stands the entire time until after the game when both teams take turns singing their alma mater with their student section. There are flyovers, paratroopers, so many dignitaries from government and the military including the President. The Commander in Chief trophy is on the line. There is just so much emotion in the stadium on that day and the stadium is packed full during the game.”
Todd and his family were able to go two days prior to kickoff and toured Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and other historical locations in downtown Philadelphia. The game saw Navy come out on top, beating Army 31-7. From an officiating perspective, the game was fairly easy all things considered, with both teams combining for only four penalties the entire game. “The teams are so disciplined that they rarely foul, so our flags stayed tucked away most of the game.”
While the life of a college football official is far from glamorous, Todd wouldn’t trade it for the world. He explained how he has been given the opportunity to travel and officiate games around the United States, including games at Notre Dame, BYU, Air Force, TCU, several NFL stadiums and even Fenway Park. Having two sons, ages 9 and 13, who are football fans just like their father and knowing they are at home watching Todd on ESPN throughout the season is something Todd cherishes. It has been a long path for Todd to get to where he is now, but he is far from the finish line. There are still goals to be met, and that is the key piece of advice Todd has for ECU students – be patient. It is not often you reach your goals right out of college; it takes time and you have to learn from your experiences to continue moving towards your goals in life.
ESPN source – https://www.espn.com/college-football/matchup?gameId=401114335