Stepping back into the halls of your old high school can be very nostalgic. Luckily, I have the pleasure of covering high school sports at my old Alma Mater on occasions. As I was preparing to cover a double header this particular night in my old high school gym, I see a familiar face in a black and white striped shirt, jogging, yes, jogging down the court. I say to myself I know this face. I stop for a moment and ask my high school guidance counselor, Sheryl Manz, yes, she was there too, did that guy “ref” when I was in school, and she exclaimed “yes he did!” It’s February 2025 and I graduated in June of 1996, but I’ll let you do that math on your own.

 His name is Mike Bernstein. He ran up and down the court for both games that night, and I was impressed by his physical ability at 78 years old. I hate to sound cliché, but you know how the old saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you lose it?” Well, I don’t see Bernstein slowing down anytime soon. He still referees 70-75 games a year in the seven school districts in Sullivan County, area prep schools and in the ABA semi-pro league. 

As a child Bernstein played basketball, baseball, and soccer. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1965 and went on to Cortland where he graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1969. He recalls his high school teams of 64-65’ winning Sectionals, which was as far as a team could go at that time. After graduating from college, Bernstein was hired as 4th assistant coach at UMASS at Amherst where Julius Erving was one of the top players. Rick Pitino and Al Skinner were freshmen at the time. He credits that position to a clinic that was held locally in the area every year. “I was fortunate enough to get that job because of my connection to the National Coaches Clinic held at Kutcher’s. My mother was in charge of that, so I got to know a lot of coaches.”

 He spoke about his close relationship with Erving on and off the court. Even recalling a time when he arrived home from spring break to find a pale blue Lincoln Continental Mark III in his driveway. Upon looking inside the vehicle he found a 6’7” Julius Erving sound asleep in the car. He had just turned pro.  

In the summer of 78’ at the urging of a colleague in a softball league he [Bernstein] played in, he was encouraged to become a basketball referee. He noted his career advancement as a ref was thanks to Dean of Coaches at the time, NYS Basketball Hall of Fame coaches, Fred Ahart and BCANY Hall of Fame coach, Paul Zintel. 

For the past 56 years he has refereed at the high school level for both basketball, and volleyball games for 20 years. “I always wanted to coach but I couldn’t coach, so I fell in love with refereeing. I was fortunate enough to fall into something that I love.”

At a Crossroads

 A pressing decision had to be made in 1979.  Bernstein was working in sales making a decent amount of money at the time and says he was approached again about returning as assistant coach at UMASS. “It would have meant taking a significant pay decrease and he and his wife Linda had just purchased a house. The practical part of me said ok, I’ll be a grown up and stay where I am, but man, if I had to do it all over again, I would’ve gone back to coaching in a heartbeat. I was good at it!” 

The Six Million Dollar Man wears a striped shirt

I jokingly referred to Bernstein as the “Bionic Man.” He shared with me that over the years, several off the court injuries slowed him down a bit but never for long. Much to the chagrin of his doctors he [Bernstein] would be back out on the court slightly earlier than what was recommended. In 2011 he had his right hip replaced following an injury during his duties with the fire department, both knees were replaced in 2013 and five years later, his left shoulder was replaced. His most recent upgrade came in 2021 when he had his left hip replaced. On the day of our meeting Mike was preparing to again run the court for at least 64 minutes in Tri-Valley to referee both the JV and Varsity games. Original parts not included.  

Retirement: What’s that?

I asked Mike had retirement crossed his mind. The physical demand takes a toll on the body and frankly it doesn’t seem to concern him too much. He responded, “Don’t look back because Father Time is gaining on you.” That quote is attributed to a similar statement made by the legendary baseball player, Satchel Paige. He is more sensible now about how he officiates, “but the passion says, I’m going to do it for as long as my body holds up.” Mike has dedicated 56 years to the Monticello Fire Department. He is an active member and has held various leadership roles, including past warden and president during four separate terms. Additionally, he is a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO), local board 247.

He and his wife Linda have been married for 56 years. He shared with me that she is the key to his success. “I couldn’t have done it without her approval.” Mike and Linda are still living in Monticello where he grew up. You can catch Mike this time of year refereeing Sectionals basketball games around the region.