IPF Category I Referee
USA Powerlifting Referee of the Year Nomination 

To the Members of the USA Powerlifting National Governing Body:

I feel quite honored to prepare this recommendation letter for Jack Marcus to receive the 2006 USA Powerlifting Referee of the Year Award.

I shall begin by saying that despite the many business interests that Jack is currently involved in at this stage of his life, he has always found the time to be actively involved and engaged with USA Powerlifting as a referee. Whenever requested to serve as a referee for a championship, either at the state, national, or International level, he is guaranteed to be highly committed to attending the championship on time, and for the duration of the event.

Jack is only a few years older than me, but in terms of the influence he’s had on my life he might as well have been my father. I can not tell you how many times that he has been instrumental in the successful outcomes of many of the national and international Championships that meet directors, me included, in USA Powerlifting have directed these past few years. These championships were successful due to his many long hours work, and in some cases, his considerable patience with me.

Key and important, at many of these championships, I have personally witnessed Jack take a deep interest in not only assisting his fellow referees, but most importantly, to assist any of the lifters that may have had a question or required assistance. Often times, after his referee assignment has been completed, Jack has spends many additional hours assisting with the preparation of the next day’s championship documents, and/or assisting with the ardent and important task of doping control.

As a technical secretary at many of our national and international events, Jack is also a problem solver and places a great deal of effort into resolving the things that are often times cumbersome and that no one wishes to take on. He also has the unusual ability to notice and detect what others may have overlooked with the technical aspects of a championship. By example, Jack has taught not only me, but other referees not only the value of helping others, but being professional, as well as the importance of loyalty and commitment to an organization. I could continue with the many descriptions of Jack’s many other good qualities – his work ethic, energy, and creativeness to name three. Instead I would simply like to say how much I think of Jack and how strongly I recommend him for this award.

Thank you! Sincerely,

Robert Keller
Interim Technical Chairman
USA Powerlifting