Giants celebrate New York State’s High School Football Officiating Crew of the Month

East Rutherford, NJ — The New York Giants are proud to celebrate high school football officials throughout New York State in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and New York State Association of Certified Football Officials (NYSAOCF). The New York Giants would like to congratulate the following officials for being named the November High School Officiating Crew of the Month in New York State.

Ralph Capozzi has just completed his 12th season officiating high school and youth football. His crew had the honor of working the 97th meeting of “The Game” between Rye High School and Harrison High school this year, as well as the Metropolitan Independent Football League Championship. Ralph’s passion for sports started at the young age of 7 playing various sports and proceeded through college, with a pit stop as a minor league pitcher. Outside of football, Ralph is a Senior Director of Facilities for a non-for-profit company in White Plains and also officiates boys and girls’ high school and youth lacrosse. When not on a field, Ralph enjoys spending time with his wife of 29 years Gina, and two son’s Anthony (Fiancé’ Taylor), Michael and their dog Rosie.

Mike Curtin has been officiating high school football since 1985 for the New York City Public School Athletic League, Westchester County Football Officials Association and Colonial Football Officials Association of Connecticut. He has officiated many playoff and championship games throughout his career and serves a Westchester County high school boys lacrosse official. Curtin is currently a Senior Technology Manager for the reinsurance company in Armonk, NY. In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife Grace and son Jonathan.

Mark D’Angelo just finished his 17th season officiating high school football and 5th as a crew chief. Mark found his passion for football officiating at a young age, watching his father Stephen, a 40-year high school football official, from the sidelines and eventually joining his crew as the Back Judge. He was a 2022 recipient of the NYSCFO Merit Award and worked the 97th meeting of “The Game” between Rye High School and Harrison High school this year, as well as the Metropolitan Independent Football League Championship. Outside of Football, Mark is also an Ice Hockey Referee. When not on the football field or hockey rink, he enjoys spending time with his wife Samantha, daughter Anastasia, and their 3 dogs Riley, Fiona, and Zoe.

Matt Nordt just finished his 16th season officiating high school and youth football in New York and worked the 97th meeting of “The Game” between Rye High School and Harrison High school this year, as well as the Metropolitan Independent Football League Championship. Matt is also an official for youth and high school basketball, lacrosse, and an off-ice hockey official. Nordt found his passion for officiating after playing sports at the high school and college level. When not on the field or court, Matt is the Recreation Director for the City of Newburgh and an active participant in the Living History Community. He enjoys spending time with his wife Pattianne and his sons JJ and Conner, all of whom are huge sports fans.

Carl Pannuti has just completed his 31st year of officiating football. Over the years, he has officiated other sports, but officiating football has provided him with great friends and memories. He has worked multiple New York State Regional games along with two Section 1 Outstanding Senior games. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and has been employed in municipal construction projects his entire career. Outside of work and officiating sports, he enjoys spending time with his wife Kathy and his two daughters Rory and Riley.

The New York Giants are one of eleven NFL clubs participating in this initiative which highlights high school football officials for their demonstration of honesty, objectivity, and commitment to their communities as officials. Each month of the high school football season, the Giants work with the NYSACFO to identify officials who are deserving of the honor. The state association is made up of nineteen chapters across New York and consists of 1,500 members who support the game of high school football.

Tim Arden, Executive Director of NYSAOCF said “I am grateful that the NFL, NFHS and the New York have partnered to create the “Crew of the Month” program which positively recognizes the dedication and commitment our officials make to high school football. This program not only enhances our ability to retain officials, but it also provides an incentive for officials to further develop their honesty, objectivity, and desire to go above and beyond the call of duty in their support of high school football.”