Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 15, 1995 TAG: 9504170022
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Roanoke's Bruce Palmer legitimately can ask himself that. The former football star will officiate four games in the World League in Europe this season. The NFL is watching him, too.
Palmer will begin his fifth season as an umpire in the Big East Football Conference in September. First, he will use two weeks vacation from his sergeant's desk in the Roanoke City Sheriff's Department to work in the reborn, six-team World that opened its season last weekend.
The NFL has scouted Palmer in recent college seasons. Former NFL officiating supervisor Art McNally saw Palmer work last year, and Jerry Seeman, the current NFL officiating boss, has talked to Big East supervisor Dan Wooldridge about Palmer's work.
``I've applied to the NFL, and I'm hoping I'll have a chance there,'' said Palmer, 36. ``Being asked to work in the World League makes me feel like they think I can do the job.''
Palmer, a former star at William Byrd High School and an All-ACC defensive lineman at Maryland in 1978, will go to Europe for two one-week stays in May and June. The seven World officiating teams are composed of current NFL officials, prospective NFL candidates from college ball and one European official per group.
Palmer will work on a crew headed by NFL referee Tom White. The top-rated crew during the World regular season will be invited back to Europe for the playoffs and World Bowl.
``The World League is a great opportunity for Bruce,'' said Wooldridge, the Roanoker who previously worked with Palmer in the Southern and Old Dominion Athletic conferences. ``He's a definite NFL candidate, without any question.
``Bruce has a unique feel for the game and the position he works [in the middle of the field] because he's been a great player.''
``The umpire is a very difficult position. It takes good judgment because you could probably throw a flag every play if you wanted. Bruce works hard at what he does.''
Palmer, who has 10 years of college officiating experience, has to be encouraged by news Wooldridge received Wednesday. Head linesman Tommy Stabile of Natrona Heights, Pa., one of three Big East officials working in the World League, was hired by the NFL.
``I like working in the Big East,'' said Palmer, who called the Fiesta Bowl in January and the 1993 Kickoff Classic. ``If the NFL happens, it happens. I feel pretty good about where I am. And two weeks in Europe isn't a bad deal.''
by CNB