John McCormick began officiating in the state of Oregon in 1971. In 1980 he moved to Bullhead City and began officiating football for the AIA from 1980 to 2013.

In the early years of John’s AIA membership when there were not many officials, or games, in the Colorado River Area, John would travel by himself from Bullhead City to Yuma, or Phoenix, or Flagstaff to work a game. John worked many play-off games over the years, including semi-final games in several Divisions. He was the Referee for the 2008 4A championship game between Santa Rita and Notre Dame Prep.

John still has exceptional knowledge of the rule book. He mentored many officials over the years in the Colorado River Area and was constantly working to make the officiating in the Colorado River Area better. He has amazing people skills and because of that, he was able to develop positive relationships with schools, athletic directors, and staff at the AIA Office.

John set remarkably ambitious standards and expectations for himself and his crew. From mid-July until the week of final assignment each season, John hosted meetings every Sunday evening in his home. John would randomly call his crew members during the week, ask them rules questions, and then assign them a topic that they were responsible for discussing at Sunday’s meeting.