Is there anything Jerry Stewart hasn’t done for the Illinois ASA during his more than 30 years of involvement? Probably not, because he’s been a player, manager, umpire, regional director, vice president, associate state commissioner, tournament director and ASA rep. Stewart umpired from 1966 to 1994 including seven ASA National Championships. Two of his umpiring assignments included the 1987 Pan American Softball Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival in San Antonio, Texas. He calls them two of his three greatest thrills in softball. For his umpiring accomplishments, Jerry attained the gold level in the ASA Medals Program and is a member of the National Indicator Fraternity. Stewart also has been the ASA Rep for eight ASA Nationals. Whatever needed to be done Jerry did it for the ASA national program or the Illinois ASA program. Stewart was always ready to go above and beyond in the best interest of ASA softball. His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed either. In 1999, he was named winner of the Chuck McCord-John Rowe Meritorious Service Award and in 1986 received the Don Plarski Umpire Award. In 1990, Jerry was inducted into the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame. He is the 38th person elected in meritorious service and was enshrined on November 12th, 2008 in Oklahoma City before 510 people during the 28th annual induction ceremonies.
