'Mr. Mom' made his mark as referee
A veteran referee, who officiated games for nearly 25 years throughout the Northwest suburbs, passed away on Tuesday after a short illness at the age of 58.
Kenneth Swierczek of Palatine was a familiar face to area basketball and volleyball players, but he also was certified by the Illinois High School Association to officiate baseball, softball and football games.
Early in his career, he served as the finance director for the village of Glendale Heights, but once the family moved to Palatine, he had to resign the post, leaving him ample time to help raise his children and pursue his love of officiating sports.
"He became sort of a 'Mr. Mom.' It was a role reversal for us, but it worked," says his wife, Debbie, who serves as the dean of students at Wheeling High School.
Family members say he refereed games nearly seven days a week, and at all levels.
Early in his career, he was a basketball referee at the junior high level in the Northwest Catholic Conference, as well as the Palatine and Buffalo Grove park districts, and the Arlington Heights Youth Basketball Association.
However, he soon branched out to officiate games in Barrington, Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates, as well as in the city.
"He liked working the youth games," says Jerry Klopp, who assigned Mr. Swierczek in basketball. "He understood that the game was for the kids and not for the referees or the coaches."
Nearly 20 years ago, when schools began fielding more volleyball teams, Mr. Swierczek learned the rules and became certified as a high school official. He soon was calling games at the freshman, sophomore and junior varsity levels throughout the Mid-Suburban League.
"He loved to officiate the lower levels," says Joanie Fesl, who assigned many of his high school games, "and he was so kind to the kids who played."
His sons, Derek and Drew, followed his lead and worked as basketball officials at the junior high level. Derek Swierczek now serves as the assistant girls varsity basketball coach at Wheeling High School, which this year advanced to the state semifinals and a third-place finish.
"He was so proud of his son," says Fred Allman, an IHSA basketball official.
Besides his wife and two sons, Mr. Swierczek is survived by a daughter, Kendra, of Palatine and two grandchildren.
Visitation takes place from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Highway, in Palatine, before a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass on Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Community Church, 2515 Palatine Road in Inverness.