Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
Basketball and Football Official
1969-1995
"Lefty" Yurek was born in St. Paul, Minn. on March 29, 1931. As a young man, he attended college at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where he was a two-year student. Lefty then moved on to the United States Armed Forces and while serving in the Army he participated in basketball, football and softball. In 1953, he was a member of the Football Division Champion in Europe. For 10 years, he coached youth baseball. He then moved on to High School football officiating where he worked the gridiron for 40 years, which included six Minnesota State High School League Prep Bowls. While officiating in the prep ranks he worked college football and basketball games in the NIC for 26 and 19 years, respectively. He also served as the referee in the NCAA Division III National Football Playoffs six times. In 1995, Lefty retired from the lumber industry after 42 years of professional service. He worked for Stanton Lumber Company for 22 years and Lampert Yard, Inc. for 20 years. His post retirement involvement in sports includes the following: served on Tartan Park Golf Course staff for several years, host for the Minnesota State High School League Football Prep Bowl and state hockey tournament, officiates adapted floor hockey and soccer, umpires H.S. Girls Fast Pitch Softball and Babe Ruth Baseball, and serves as a clinician for the state H.S. league in football and basketball. Lefty also assists the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Athletic Department working as the Gopher football timer and Gopher basketball scoreboard operator. Lefty is currently in his 28th year as assignment secretary for the St. Paul Officials Association in both football and basketball.