Frank Corcoran, left, and his NFLOA colleague Tim Hoover pictured prior to a high school game.
If you’re a boys’ lacrosse player in the Buffalo, New York area, it’s probably not a good idea to loaf your way down the field. Those that do may find themselves getting left in the dust by an octogenarian wearing black-and-white stripes.
Meet Frank Corcoran, the 82-year-old sprinter who is, based on USA Lacrosse membership records, the nation’s oldest, on-field high school boys’ official. Not that age means anything to Corcoran, a member of the Niagara Frontier Lacrosse Officials’ Association.
“On the field, I feel like I’m still 50,” said Corcoran, who is in his 32nd year as a lacrosse official. “I can still sprint 60 yards. I run like an antelope.”
Corcoran attributes his longevity as an official to the natural blessing of good health – he’s never incurred a major injury - and an active lifestyle. In addition to working as a boys’ lacrosse official, he also serves as a football official in the fall and a girls’ basketball referee in the winter.
“Those other sports keep me loose and in shape,” Corcoran said. “I don’t have any weird diets or anything. I just stay as active as I can.”
Workouts on days with no games are primarily from brisk dog walks with his 11-year-old Shih Tzu, Cesar.
“We will walk from one telephone pole to the next one, then jog from that pole to the one after that,” Corcoran explained. “Sometimes we’ll walk two poles and then jog two poles.”
Originally from Boston but now a longtime Buffalo resident, Corcoran had no exposure to lacrosse until his sons began playing in high school. Initially, he just enjoyed the game as a parent.
“I wouldn’t have known lacrosse if it had stepped on me,” he said. “I didn’t know anything about the game.”
He credits some of his football officiating buddies who also worked lacrosse games as the ones who eventually convinced him to also put on the stripes for lacrosse. He had come to understand the game pretty well after years of watching his sons play.
“The transition wasn’t hard since throwing the flag was not a new thing for me,” Corcoran said.
Ironically, the games he enjoys best are the ones where his flag never hits the ground.
“I love the games where the lads just play and I don’t have to throw the flag,” Corcoran said. “I’m there to simply help young men develop good sportsmanship.”
He's also a valued member of his officials’ organization and eager to assist in the development of fellow zebras.
“Frank is a true professional and prides himself on preparedness and passing his knowledge onto the next generation,” said Chris Clark, president of the NFLOA. “Frank's insights carry the weight of a man who has seen the game transition through multiple decades.”
His commitment is appreciated by his colleagues, especially during an era when finding new officials is getting more difficult in almost all sports.
“We face unprecedented times in finding officials to support the exponential growth of youth sports,” Clark said. “Frank's drive should be an inspiration to all.”
Corcoran officiates at all levels of play, from youth games for the youngest participants to high school varsity games. He also gets summer tournament assignments and often works multiple games in one day during some summer events.
Tim Hoover has worked many games with Corcoran through the years and appreciates his partner’s experience and consistency.
“Frank brings his decades of his accumulated wisdom to bear on every game. No matter the level, date, weather, he’s always ready to go and in sync with his fellow officials,” Hoover said. “He has excellent rapport with players and coaches, and I can personally attest that Frank moves better than officials half his age. You know that when you have a game with Frank on the crew, you’re going to have a great day.”
Corcoran’s love for the game and appreciation for the skills of the players is still as high as ever.
““I marvel at the stick skills these players now have. It’s just unbelievable.,” Corcoran said. “Seeing the development of some of the boys through the years is just very satisfying for me. It’s a joy to see how they improve and to follow them, even as some of them move into college play.”
Corcoran also treasures the game’s influence on his own family. In addition to his initial entrée into the sport through his sons, he now has two grandsons who play the game in high school and college, and a granddaughter who played and now coaches.
“Lacrosse has been a wonderful experience for my family,” he said.
Despite his longevity, Corcoran, a retired mechanical engineer, has no plans on retiring his whistle anytime soon.
“When I’m on the field, nothing else exists,” he said. “It’s only about the game and there’s no other worries. I’m not thinking about anything else. There’s really a great peace of mind.”
Like any well-trained official, he then quickly runs down his checklist.
“My legs are good, my knees are good, my ankles are good,” Corcoran said. “Based on how I feel, I’m hoping to go until I’m 85. Then I’ll re-evaluate.”
