Three stalwarts of track and field officiating are the inaugural inductees to the South Dakota Cross Country/Track & Field Association (SDCCTFOA) Hall of Fame, according to President Tim Casper.

Dean Mann, Sioux Falls; Steve Charron, Huron; and Richard Rockafellow, Philip will be enshrined in the Hall at the South Dakota High School State Track & Field Championships in Sioux Falls.

“These three men contributed a good portion of their life and time to creating and improving officiating quality for South Dakota officials,” said Casper. “It is fitting that they are the first three inductees into our Hall of Fame.”

These three pillars of track and field officiating are the first three to be inducted into the newly created Hall of Fame for their contributions to the advancement of track & field and cross-country officiating.

Dean Mann’s name is synonymous with excellence in track and field officiating. In 1953, Dean launched a career that spanned 60 years as a track starter and referee. He served as referee for the South Dakota State Track Meet for 33 years, and was a SDHSAA rules interpreter and clinician. Dean also devoted 65 years of service to the Howard Wood Dakota Relays as an official, board member, president and Assistant Meet Director and Meet Director. He had a 36 year career in education with the Sioux Falls Public Schools, and retired as a Brigadier General in the South Dakota National Guard.

Steve Charron has been a steady voice at the starting line of South Dakota’s biggest track and cross country meets, including 29 years as a starter at the SDHSAA State Track & Field Meet and 32 years as starter at the State Cross Country Championships. A leader with the SDHSAA, Steve served on the Track & Field Advisory Board and on the All-Sports Advisory Board. Steve served as a community and business leader in Huron, as a president of the Huron Chamber of Commerce and BID Board. He also holds leadership roles with the SD Lakes and Streams Association and other civic organizations.

Richard “Rock” Rockafellow is a respected presence in South Dakota track and field. Rock served as both a starter and referee for 28 state track meets and 25 Corn Palace Relays. Rock helped shape officiating, serving on the SDHSAA Track and Field Advisory Board and on the SDHSAA All-Sports Board. He also conducted rules meetings and workshops for coaches and officials throughout the state. He is also a member of the South Dakota Baseball Hall of Fame and the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, and he served 28 years as Umpire-in-Chief for the State Amateur Baseball Tournament. Rock had a 40 year career in public education as a teacher, coach, principal, athletic director, and superintendent.