Photo Courtesy of IGCA
Longtime Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union official Chris Armstrong got the call to the hall this fall from the Iowa Girls Coaches Association. Armstrong, a Danville alum and former Highland and WACO Schools Superintendent, has served as a volleyball official since 1988. The 2022 season was his 34th on the podium at the net. Armstrong has worked 20 State Tournaments and six championship matches in his illustrious career. He spoke this week with KCII Sports about circumstances surrounding the first match her ever officiated, his first state tournament experience, his advice for those interested in officiating, and what the honor means to him. “(My first time officiating) I had never been to an actual volleyball match. I’m at the match and I was given very specific instructions by the referee. He said I needed to watch the net, the line and get the substitutes into the game. In 2001, Steve (Rohach) and I got the call to work our first state tournament. The very first match that we worked ended up being a five-setter between (Iowa Mennonite School) and Treynor. It was just loud and exciting and intense. We came off the floor, into the officials room, into basically just silence with our ears still ringing. The person in charge at that time, Troy Dannen said ‘Welcome to the State Tournament’. It’s been exciting. It’s very humbling. It’s a sign, to a certain degree, of the time I’ve officiated. It’s great to be recognized. Last year, I know there were several volleyball events canceled because of a lack of officials. We need people. The kids can’t play without officials. If you have ever thought about it. I would encourage you to go for it!”
Along with being a tenured official at the highest level, Armstrong served on the IGHSAU Advisory Board for three years, is a committee member of the IGCA Volleyball Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame since 2018, has held the position of Volleyball Official Observer with the state since 2021, is a certified USA Volleyball regional official, worked as a volleyball clinician for the state and has been a high school basketball official for 34 years. His Hall of Fame induction ceremony as an official was Saturday. Armstrong is retired from education after a 37-year career and lives with his family in Kalona.