Episode 159: Ernie Yarbrough (Assistant Executive Director/ Coordinator of Officiating) GHSA (Thomaston, GA)

Ernie has worked for the GHSA since 2002 and his main responsibility is overseeing the officiating department for all sports. He also is the sport coordinator for basketball, baseball and softball.  He assists in the administration of many championship events. He often represents the GHSA at state, regional and national sports-related conferences. Ernie and his wife, Cindy, have two wonderful children (Shawn and Chelsy) and are the proud grandparents of Hampton. Ernie was born in Alameda, California and raised in Owasso, Oklahoma. He and Cindy reside in mid-town Atlanta near the Fox Theatre. A Viet Nam era veteran of the US Navy, Ernie was a College Division football All American at the University of San Diego in 1973. He attempted a professional football career with three different teams (Colts, Saints, Chargers). Ernie worked for 13 years in player development in the NFL (Buccaneers, Cardinals and Jets).  He coached and taught for six years at the high school level and 10 years at the college level (Whittier College, Cal State Pomona, Emory University). Actively involved in fast pitch softball for 45 years as a player, coach, and administrator, Ernie currently serves on the Georgia ASA State Board as Assistant J.O. Commissioner and Coaches Liaison. He also operates the Georgia Academy of Softball in Peachtree City. Ernie officiated high school and college basketball for 30 years, and officiated international practice games for the 1996 Olympics. He was the Director of Officiating for the first women's professional basketball league (ABL) 1996-99. Ernie’s hobbies include conducting youth sports camps, and he has more than 2,000 DVDs, which he loves to watch in the theater room at he and Cindy’s lake house. [email protected] @OfficialGHSA