Paul Ray Powell was an outstanding high school football official with over 27 years on the field.   During his tenure as a referee, he worked with and mentored many great officials who went on to not only lead a crew as a referee, but also crews that worked state championship games. Ray gave freely of his time to help develop and mentor countless officials both in the AIA and youth football.

He worked tirelessly helping officials improve their craft even teaching AIA football training classes helping first and second year officials learn the rules and the trade. Ray would take new officials out on the field and conduct mechanics training; teaching them the basics of blowing a whistle and how to use game signals. Mr. Powel personally mentored numerous officials helping them become great contributors to the AIA football community.

Mr. Powell introduced the concept of a 2-yard sideline belt for wing officials in August of 2003. The proposed sideling rule change became part of the NFHS adopting the sideline rule.