Oct. 14, 2009

SPOKANE, Wash. - The Inland Northwest Sports Hall of Fame took on a Gonzaga University flavor Tuesday when Dale Goodwin, current director of media relations and former sports information director of the Bulldogs, was inducted into the scroll of honor which recognizes contributions to the Spokane sports scene.

A graduate of Spokane's Ferris High with collegiate degrees from Washington State University and Gonzaga, Goodwin has been a volleyball official for 29 years. He became the 18th member inducted into the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials national hall of fame in December, 2008. He has served on the local boards for 22 years, has officiated six NCAA Division I national championships, three NAIA nationals, two NCAA Division III nationals and numerous USA Volleyball nationals.

Goodwin is distinguished for his work locally that includes recruiting, training and evaluating officials, as well as planning and conducting clinics.

Goodwin began officiating high school matches in 1981 and three years later worked his first collegiate match. He hasn't looked back since. He is a 10-time Spokane Area Volleyball Referees Association Referee of the Year, three-time most inspirational, and contributor of the year and partner of the year once each. His 15-year-old son, Ben, is following in his dad's footsteps and is the youngest collegiate line judge in the NCAA ranks.