Long-time league basketball officials Glen Welch and Russ 'Big Daddy' Hansen were recently honored for their years of service to the Frontier Conference. Welch retires at the end of this season while Hansen retired last year. Welch, from Missoula, Mont., began his collegiate basketball officiating career in the Frontier in 1976.  He said he has probably officiated over 800 Frontier Conference basketball games.

Welch was also a basketball official in the Big Sky Conference. In addition to basketball, he has been a football official in the Frontier for the past 12 years and will continue to do so.

Hansen, also a resident of Missoula, began officiating in 1979 and has probably worked over 20 championship games in his 30-year Frontier Conference career.

A career highlight was last year's game between Carroll College and then No. 1 Westminster College when Carroll beat Westminster in overtime.

"It just doesn't get any better than that," Hansen said.

Although his collegiate officiating career is over, Hansen will continue his 35-year high school career. He is scheduled to work the boy's AA state tournament in Billings next month.

"Their service to the league is greatly appreciated," league commissioner Kent Paulson said. "I want to thank both Glen and Russ for their years of service to the Frontier. You both will be surely missed."