This story originally appeared in News and Tribune Sports Magazine.
Husband, father, quarterback, catcher, coach, council member, mayor – Dale Orem has worn many hats during his 86 years on earth.
The Jeffersonville resident’s resume puts most to shame, though he humbly describes his many accomplishments as if they’re the norm instead of the exception. While many people can relate to Orem’s role as a family man, no one in Southern Indiana can lay claim to experiencing one of his most crowning achievements.
In 1996, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, Orem officiated Super Bowl XXX. The Dallas Cowboys won the game, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17. Just like the players, officials have to earn a spot at the Super Bowl. They’re graded weekly and only the best officiate the big game.
“It was really an interesting time to say the least,” Orem said.
Such words would also be used to describe Orem’s life.
As a child, Orem’s father worked in Louisville and the family moved across the river near 44th and Market when he was 7 years old. That’s where Orem said he learned how to play sports, competing with neighborhood kids in baseball and football.
At the age of 12 Orem’s family moved back to Jeffersonville and his athletic prowess shined.
“It was a great place to grow up. Sports were aplenty with two Little Leagues and all the competition between them,” Orem recalled. “It was a real family affair.”
His talents led him to the University of Louisville where he shined as a two-sport athlete, playing baseball and football. Playing one sport is tough, and two is an absolute grind. But Orem excelled at both while married and keeping up with his studies. It certainly wasn’t the typical college career, as Orem and his late wife, Kay, were raising their first child while he was chasing his dreams on the field.
“I had a great wife and she knew what I needed to do. Kay was just wonderful,” Orem said.
Orem, a catcher, played on Louisville’s undefeated 1957 baseball squad. Later that year, he started at quarterback on the Cardinals’ 9-1 football team.
The season culminated with a 34-20 win over Drake in the 1958 Sun Bowl.
“It was easy. With Leonard Lyles back there all I had to do was turn around and hand him the ball,” Orem said of the Louisville legend, “Bones” Lyles, who led the nation in scoring that season and went on to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts.
Orem would also eventually find his way on an NFL field, but in a different capacity.
AN OFFICIAL DECISION
Orem’s sales career led him to Cleveland, where he found himself attending several Browns’ games. Eventually a different job brought him back to Louisville, where he asked some of the guys he’d played football with about officiating.
He started with middle school and junior varsity games, working his way up until he applied to officiate in the Missouri Valley Conference. Louisville was a member of the conference then, and in 1968, Orem was hired as an official in the MVC.
Within two years, he was called back to another one of his passions. Orem was hired as the U of L baseball coach, and managed the team from 1969-1973. The difference between coaching a college team at that time compared to now is like night and day when considering resources. When Orem was coaching technique and strategy, he was busy packing dirt, trimming grass and keeping the field up to shape.
“I went in with a $5,800 budget, so I learned how to become a field manager,” Orem said.
Louisville has become a top baseball program in the country, and Orem is proud to have played a role in the team’s progression.
But his love of football and interest in officiating didn’t stop because of his coaching career. In 1970, at the age of 30, Orem became the youngest official in the Big Ten. He officiated some of the biggest games of the time, including the classic Michigan vs. Ohio State matchups.
During one of those rivalry games, Orem received the ire of legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes. The Ohio State coach was upset with a call, and Orem was along the sideline closest to Hayes. A photo of Hayes’ verbal attack on Orem was widely published following the game.
“Woody Hayes got me on the front page of every newspaper in America,” Orem said as he laughed thinking about the experience. “He was right on my back, chewing me out with his hands in the air.”
But upset coaches, players and fans are a fact of life for officials. The good ones take it in stride, though Orem admits it’s difficult at first. He recalled his early days in the profession when parents at middle school games would scream about almost every call.
After decades as an official, Orem learned to let the insults roll off his back.
“The fans think they know the game, but hardly any of them know the rules when you get down to it,” he said. “When you’ve been called an SOB so many times, you just can’t take it serious.”
THE NFL EXPERIENCE
Orem started his NFL career in the early 1980s. He was grouped with other officials who resided in northern Indiana and near Chicago. He credits his peers for helping him along the way, especially Jerry Markbreit, who knew the rules like the back of his hand and had no issue getting younger officials up to speed.
Officials, like a good team, have to work together. Orem said a bad call by one official reflects poorly on the whole group, which is why the good ones spend so much time studying the rules.
The Super Bowl was among the many memories Orem cherishes from his officiating career. He was able to take his family to big games, and travel to officiate in Europe.
“I just thank God every day, I really do, that he gave me the opportunity to do that,” he said.
Orem’s career spanned from 1965-1998.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Orem credits his involvement with the Jaycees for inspiring his career in public service.
It started with a successful run for at-large Jeffersonville City Council. The Republican went on to break the Democrats’ hold on the mayor’s seat and served two terms from 1984-1991.
Getting the sewer system on better footing was one of the biggest accomplishments of his time as mayor, and Orem’s expertise on the issue continues to serve Jeffersonville after current Mayor Mike Moore appointed him to the sewer board.
“It’s a team effort to run a government of any size, and you have to have good people to help,” Orem said.
“I’m really happy to see Jeff where it is today, and to see where it is headed, from being a little bedroom community to one that’s really adding to the world,” Orem said.