Larry Nemmers, a 1994 inductee into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame, is being honored for his thirty years of distinguished officiating in the National Football League.
As Larry enters his thirtieth year in the NFL, he has been in the playoffs 25 out of 29 years. He was involved in three Super Bowls: XXV, XXXV, and XLVI. He got into the NFL in 1985 as a side judge (six years) and was promoted to referee and crew chief in 1991. He retired from the field in 2007 after twenty-three years and is currently serving as a Replay Official in his thirtieth year.
The "Art McNally Award" is the highest accomplishment an NFL official can receive. It is based on "Exemplary Character, Leadership Professionalism, and Commitment to Sportsmanship On and Off the Field". Larry was selected for this award in 2006 by the National Football League.
Larry graduated from Columbus High School (Waterloo, Iowa) in 1961. He went to Upper Iowa University where he majored in Biology and played Football, Basketball Baseball. It was there that Dr Naudau, a college professor, peaked his interest in officiating.
Larry's tenure in U-46 began at Kimball Junior High School as a science teacher in 1965. He attended East Texas University on a National Science Foundation Scholarship for three summers where he received his first Master's Degree with studies in Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science. He served as Science Coordinator for the school district and enjoyed giving workshops in U-46 and throughout the state on science teaching techniques. Larry received his second Master's Degree in Education Administration from Northern Illinois University and went to Larkin High School as Assistant Principal. He served one year in the same position at Elgin High School before being named principal in 1982.