A critical presence at Remsen Rink, whom hockey players respect and depend on, is referee Mr. Marty Tangredi. I spoke with Mr. Tangredi to learn more about his history with the game and his 27 years of experience officiating at Choate.
A true all-around hockey person, he started playing hockey in Wallingford back in 1973. Mr. Tangredi attended Lyman Hall, played club hockey at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and began officiating several years after college. “I ran into a high school teammate who asked if I’d be interested in officiating hockey. My first answer was, ‘Are you crazy? I am the one that they send to the penalty box – not the other way around!’ But he suggested that I take the seminar and give it a try.”
But sure enough, Mr. Tangredi fell in love with officiating and it soon became a regular job for him. “After my first game, I was hooked. I began to get higher-level assignments, worked many games with excellent officials, and was lucky enough to learn all that they had to teach me about the little things that the job requires.” That being said, Mr. Tangredi certainly did not become a referee overnight. With regard to formal training, referees participate in mandatory annual seminars and tests in order to re-certify for the next year. And because Mr. Tangredi officiates Prep games, he is subject to additional testing as well as monthly training sessions during the season. But, clearly, the officiating experience makes up for the hard work that Mr. Tangredi puts into it.
While he loves being a referee, there are some aspects of the job he doesn’t particularly enjoy. Mr. Tangredi mentioned that one con of the job is “parents and coaches not letting go of a disagreement to a particular call. I have even been physically assaulted after a game, where a parent put hands on me and was later arrested – not fun.” That being said, many elements of the job make it worthwhile. Mr. Tangredi particularly enjoys “the satisfaction of watching a well-played game, having no effect on the outcome, and not being noticed on the ice.” In addition, he said that it is always nice to receive a compliment from a coach who is happy with Tangredi’s referee performance. Mr. Tangredi added, “ I also love the interactions with the players.”
Regarding Choate, in particular, he said, “I love working games with future Olympians as well as Choate’s two present coaches.” He also enjoys catching up with Choate players whom he refereed that have since graduated. “The ultimate respect that we had for each other when they played is something that I treasure, as well.” Overall, he said, “Hockey officiating is a good way to stay involved in the game that I am passionate about and make some extra income. Being a hockey official has become a way of life for me.”
Mr. Tangredi has been here long enough to even witness the snack bar’s first edition, created by none other than his uncle and father. “In fact, the plaque on the current snack bar is in honor of my uncle. I make sure to touch it every time before I go out onto the ice.”
Outside of hockey, Mr. Tangredi works as a Commercial Property Claim Adjuster and relishes spending time with his two daughters. In addition, he said, “I play softball in Wallingford, I golf when I can, and I spend time off-season with my best friends, who happen to be the officials that I work with all season.”
Mr. Tangredi has been a fan favorite for many years at Choate, and each Saturday night gives him yet another chance to experience the game and job that he loves.
