It may not be in the traditional sense, but Jim Huetter is widely recognized as a three-sport superstar.
Huetter was a competitive bicycle racer on the international stage at the highest levels. He represented the United States in 1970 at the World Championships in England, and again the following year at the Pan-American Games in Colombia. He was a member of the USA’s Olympic long team in 1972. He also participated in the 1974 Tour of Ireland 8-day, 9 stage competition, and in 1975 he was a member of Team USA team at the Rapport tour.
In the early 1970s, he was a member of Raleigh Century Road Club of America (CRC of A), a premier U.S. cycling team which was considered one of the best US teams of that era. Huetter and his fellow Raleigh members received Special Recognition from the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.
Huetter, the son of the legendary official the late Al “Whitey” Huetter, began his basketball officiating career as a 16-year-old, refereeing local hoops games. He climbed the basketball ranks and became one of the most respected basketball officials in the nation. He went from high school to junior college, and NCAA Divisions 3, 2, and 1 before working as an NBA official from 1989-91. He returned to Division I, where he worked for nearly a quarter century. In 2001 he was named the MAAC Official of the Year and earned spots on the referee crews for both the NIT and NCAA tournaments. He became the Supervisor of Officials for NJCAA Region 3 and ECAC Division 3 for nearly 30 years. He also served in the role of Officials Observer from 2007-2013 for the NBA at all Toronto Raptors games.
In addition to his work on the hardwood, Huetter is also a respected official in the NFL. He began on the field, working on the chain gang, before being recruited by the NFL to move to the press box to operate the play clock – and he hasn’t missed a game in more than 30 years. Shortly after, he was promoted to crew chief, responsible for a team of 10+ people, including the chain crew, sideline video replay, and clock operators. Huetter’s Buffalo crew has been selected to work 14 playoff games at sites around the league over the past 20 years, including Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, AZ.
If you are interested in attending the induction ceremony or want more information on the Hall of Fame, visit https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/.
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