Officiating is a passion for respected Trilli
By John Sacco
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
He has stood the test of time by being fair, consistent and committed.
He also maintains control of the game he is officiating.
When official Tom Trilli speaks, those around him listen. His word is the last one.
“He’s the Don,” laughs Mark Wise, Jr., who has worked many times with Trilli.
“Yes. He certainly sits at the head of the table,” said George Malanosky, also a longtime basketball and baseball official.
Trilli, 68, began his officiating career in youth leagues and that led into high school football and basketball and college football in 1990.
He has officiated basketball in NCAA Division II and III, including in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, Mountain East Conference and Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
He has officiated WPIAL and PIAA championship games.
“It became a passion,” Trilli said. “I enjoy the games and the craft. Coaches and players are more vocal now. The speed, sizes and abilities are different now than in the 1970s.”
It’s a long way from his beginnings as a referee at West Virginia University, where he was a student.
“My work study job at WVU was officiating intramural flag football and basketball,” he said. “They gave me a shirt and whistle and said: ‘You’re an official.’ They didn’t teach me a thing and I didn’t know the rules.”
Trilli has worked as a chemist for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel in the 1970s, an agent and later sales manager for Prudential in the 1980s and later worked for the department of corrections.
Trilli was a multi-sport athlete at Belle Vernon Area High School from where he graduated in 1974. He played basketball and track and field there. He was part of the Leopards’ first section championship basketball team in ’74 and was the school’s record holder in the mile, half-mile, mile relay and two-mile relay.
Trilli earned a track scholarship to WVU and graduated from California University in 1978.
Trilli is long on experience and has a keen officiating acumen,
“I’ve spent more time in basketball but I like football,” Trilli said. “I’ve been blessed with health. I love to train and develop younger officials.”
Trilli and his wife, Marlene, reside in Belle Vernon. He has two daughters and 10 siblings.
Doing it right
Ron Faust, former basketball coach at Washington, said Trilli’s professionalism and control set him apart.
“Not all referees doing this understand, Tom is a true professional,” Faust explained. “He understands his part of the process and the game. He’s not there to put on a show. Tom’s there to do his job and he does it every time.
“He knows the game is about the players. Since he has been in the business so long, he has had to adapt to players. Tom is always in control and has control.
“People come to see the players, not the coaches or the referees. Tom makes himself aware of that and at the same time does his job, which is a remarkably difficult job.”
Washington & Jefferson football coach Mike Sirianni said Trilli’s talent and the respect he receives carries over to the football field.
“He has always been a good official,” Sirianni said. “Tom is a nice a nice man and a very fair official. He understands officiating and competitive collegiate athletics.”
Malanosky learned much from the savvy Trilli. He admires his work.
“It’s because he does it right,” Malanosky explained. “He simply does it the right way. Tom’s a fair official. He uses common sense. Coaches respect him and his partners respect him. He makes a game easy to work.
“Trilli wants to see a new official succeed. He’s always wanted to be a mentor. If you’re willing to learn he’s more than willing to teach.
“None of us are as fast as we used to be, we’re just a lot smarter,” he continued. “You know where to position yourself on the floor and on the field with the best angle.”
Highly regarded basketball official David Jaap said Trilli took him “under his wing years ago.” Jaap said in addition to the late Bill Christy, that Trilli is the official that has been most influential in 30-year career.
“Years ago, (former official and WPIAL administrator) Pam Cherubin put me with Tom on playoff games,” Jaap recalled. “I’ve worked more playoff games with him in my career. He provided so much feedback and help and has made me the official I am today. Once I started getting assigned the crew chief in the playoffs, he told me he did his job and now it’s my turn.”
Trilli’s success and longevity are based on his strengths and character, Jaap said.
“His professionalism, knowledge of the game and his communication skills (are his hallmarks),” Jaap said. “Anyone can blow a whistle and call fouls and violations but managing a game is what sets him apart.”
Added Malanosky: “I don’t think one thing he has ever told me (about officiating) was something I discarded. He knows the rules, positioning but most about the philosophy of how to communicate with players and coaches. That’s his forte.”
Changing lives
Wise said if not for a meeting with Trilli over ice cream in Finleyville six years ago, he’s not sure he would be officiating basketball and football in high school and college today.
“Honestly, the meeting changed my life,” Wise said. “I didn’t think my career path would be officiating or that I’d have a chance. (Trilli) told me I was going to have success.”
Trilli’s support, encouragement, insight, mentorship and friendship helped Wise make a mark early in his career.
“He’s like a grandfather figure to me,” Wise said. “Tom is a book of knowledge. Listening to him and talking about his stories is so enlightening. He commands a certain level of respect.
“We bust him up like any one of us. But he’s the man we all look toward. We know we’re credited on that field because we have him. His presence alone is why we have respect as a crew.
“It’s honestly unbelievable to me to do this after 40 years. Most would be ready to stop, relax and kick up their feet. But he gets up and gets his steps in every day and does it at the highest level. He’s trying to make the game better and keep younger officials improving. He busts his butt. It makes me want to be better.”
John Sacco writes a column for the Observer-Reporter about local sports history.