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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – He starting officiating at the age of 17 and 53 years later he retired his whistle earlier this year.

Dave Carlsrud stepped down from refereeing earlier this year. Colleagues say he is a perfectionist, a mentor and a great friend. One of those is referee Jeff Risk of Minot.

North Dakota High Schools Activities Executive Director Matt Fetsch said Carlsrud’s positive influence of training officials for decades goes beyond the borders of North Dakota. Fetsch talked about the shortage of referees across North Dakota and the current campaign to recruit more as soon as possible.

Two men benefited from Carlsrud’s instruction are Rob Kueneman and Mark Riggs, both serve as Big 10 officials. Dave Carlsrud said it was a fast 53 years and he met some great people along the way.

Mark Ukestad and his son Tyler are a family of sporting officials who with Tyler are entering the third generation of being referees. Mark said his father got him interested in becoming a referee.

More than two dozen sports officials from around the state and region paid tribute to Carlsrud at the Valley City Eagles Club last week.

Carlsrud worked for the North Dakota High School Activities Association from 1988 to 2010, he now serves as the mayor of Valley City.