P.A. man makes CFL debut

“It’s nice to get rewarded based on the hard work and sacrifice that has gone into the officiating. I’m a little nervous. I don’t want to let myself down, or let my supervisors down. Really looking forward to those first couple snaps,” he said.

Semenchuk progressed through the ranks heading into last month’s CFL officiating camp. He worked games at the under 19 Canada Cup in Montreal last summer, in addition to January’s under 19 international bowl at Cowboys stadium in Dallas. The Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) East-West bowl in Montreal last month was also among his high level assignments.

Semenchuk credited weekly study sessions with current Saskatchewan based CFL officials Tim Kroeker and Rick Berezowski for helping him to get through the written and video exams in addition to the rigorous fitness testing at the league’s officiating camp.

He is also a WHL linesman during the hockey season and Semenchuk understands officiating can be a thankless job that takes a thick skin.

“That comes with the territory,” Semenchuk said, adding he realized the media, fans, players and coaches can be highly critical.

“It’s an emotional game, you know you work at elite levels, these are gentlemen whose livelihoods depend on the success of their teams and so sometimes you’ve got to take that,” he said.

Semenchuk said sharing his accomplishment with his son Tye and daughter Emily made it that much better.

“My son is so excited, that makes it all worthwhile. Just hearing the excitement of him saying, ‘hey, my dad is going to ref in the CFL.’”

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: RaidersVoice

by Drew Wilson

P.A. man makes CFL debut

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