Joe Rossi Hall of Fame

2006 Hall of Fame Inductee Ernest "Ernie" B. Kozacek – Lakewood Ernie attended high school at Merrit Hutton in Thornton, Colorado and graduated in 1967. He went on to Western state College in Gunnison, Colorado and graduated from there with a B.S. in 1971. 'Big E' joined the high school ranks in 1972 when CHSAA was being formed for officials in all sports. He officiated high school baseball from the years of 1972 through 2003. Ernie was the Assignor for the United Pacific and Mile Hi leagues for many years. Ernie’s first year in Jeffco was with Bill Vencent and Mel Schwartz assigning. The assignor for Denver was Mr. Wilson and Julie Carrabello was at Metro. The pay was a big seven dollars and fifty cents for varsity and four dollars for JV. Our uniforms were a white shirt and tie with double-breasted jacket and slacks. The next thirty plus years, Ernie enjoyed a good schedule and worked many districts and a few regional games. He was an assignor for many years as well as the replacement for most 'no shows'. Ernie was grateful and thankful for the many experiences.