Curly Hays
Hays was probably the best-known football and basketball referee in the history of the Abilene chapter, working middle school, high school, and college games up until the time of his death. Hays officiated football and basketball for over 50 years. He called Southwest Conference basketball and football games for 21 years including the Cotton, Fiesta and Sun Bowls games. Hays was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 1988 and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 1998. The state’s annual award for the top football official is named in Hays’ honor. Deceased.
