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Health & Fitness

NFL Ref Visits RBR Academy of Sports Medicine and Management

NFL Referee Visits Students in the RBR Academy of Sports Medicine and Management

An NFL celebrity recently visited Red Bank Regional (RBR) speaking to the high school’s Academy of Sports Medicine and Management (ASM&M). The VIP wasn’t a star football player, although he did play center for Red Bank Catholic back in his high school days.  The NFL visitor was a NFL referee and Holmdel resident Jim Quirk, someone whose public status has been elevated significantly since last season’s referee strike concluded.

                “They (the football fans) cheered for us for the first time ever!” Jim Quirk told his captive RBR student audience, when describing his return to the gridiron following the 2012 referee lockout which created a lot of fan angst regarding replacement referees. The students peppered him with questions, including wanting to know more about the various NFL stars he has encountered on professional football fields throughout the country. They also learned about the requirements and day-to-day life of a professional football referee.

                Mr. Quirk’s visit was arranged by RBR ASM&M supervisor and Dean of Students Alan Choback, who played quarterback at Red Bank Catholic when his pal Jim Quirk played center.

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                Alan Choback states, “The Academy of Sports Medicine & Management was established for students who may be considering career paths in athletics and or health related fields. Jim started out as a high school referee and even worked some Red Bank Regional football games back in the early 1990’s.  It is great for our students to hear from an individual who works in the field and has connections to the RBR.”

                Mr. Quirk actually holds two full-time jobs. His “day-job” is a financial advisor for an insurance company. As a professional referee, he works directly for the NFL which assigns him to different games in various states on any given weekend.  He is, therefore, constantly on a plane, which could be difficult on his young family. Jim Quirk and his wife have three children. He does manage to coach girls’ softball for both his town’s recreation leagues as well as traveling teams during his football off-season.

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He shared a humorous anecdote about a rare occasion when his family was able to see him in action when he worked a New York Jets’ game.

He recalled,  “They (his family) were seated in the player’s family box, so it was difficult to tell a 12, 10 and 7 year old not to cheer when the home team’s family is going crazy over a good play (as referees cannot show any impartiality.)” 

                When asked how he can balance both jobs and family life, he replied, “You do it because you love it.”

Red Bank Regional’s (RBR) Academy of Sports Medicine and Management (ASM&M) offers curriculum and career exploration in both sports medicine (such as, athletic training, physical therapy, emergency medicine, nursing, exercise physiology, nutritionist/dietician, and personal fitness training) and sports management (including sport marketing, agent, recreation, and sports journalism.)

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