Rick Hall

Remembering a Referee Who Gave Back

A Tribute to Rick Hall

A life dedicated to the whistle and the community.

Richard "Rick" Hall's life was full of passion and service. For over 25 years, he was a dedicated International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) basketball official. He was involved with local high schools, college courts, and professional leagues like Ice Cube's Big3. His mission for the court and for his life was to make every experience a positive one, no matter if you were a young player, an athlete, a family member or friend, or just a person he met throughout his life.

Rick's impact extended beyond his role as a basketball referee. He cared about his community, his commitment to giving back was seen in many ways. The most notable one being his work through the National Kidney Foundation, organizing fundraising tournaments and advocating for organ donations for which he received the All-Star Volunteer Award in 2019.

He wasn't just a basketball referee, he wanted to help others and he believed his passions could be used to serve a greater purpose.

The Maryland Future Officials Grant

Paving the way for future sports officials.

The Maryland Future Officials Grant is for a Maryland student who shares Rick's passion for sports and his commitment to giving back to the community. This scholarship supports the next generation of sports officials by providing financial assistance for the initial costs of becoming a referee.

An award of $875–$1,900 is granted each June to a recipient who is just beginning their officiating journey. This funding can be used for a referee camp, course fees, background screening, uniforms, and other essential equipment. By helping to cover these startup costs, the scholarship ensures that Rick's legacy of principled officiating and community service continues to thrive, inspiring future officials to step onto the field or court with confidence and make a positive impact.

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Technology 4 Causes

The mission of Technology 4 Causes (T4C) is to support specialized assistance programs and charitable initiatives, expanding their positive impact through the multiplying powers of technology, networking, and collaboration.

The vision of Technology 4 Causes is to operate numerous Mentoring Programs, Technology Assistance Programs, Sports 4 Causes Programs, and Helping Hubs. The combination of these initiatives creates a powerful multiplying effect for all T4C activities powered by a common technology platform and philanthropic infrastructure.

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Transformation Guild

The Transformation Guild is a mentoring program of Technology 4 Causes, which was launched by the Kutcher Foundation in collaboration with DICORP, Inc. to create a powerful philanthropic impact through the multiplying forces of technology. The Guild is dedicated to harnessing the power of writing and technology to create a positive impact in society. Our primary focus is to engage and inspire young writers to craft compelling stories that encourage involvement in non-profit organizations and charitable initiatives. By providing guidance and instruction through mentorship, we ensure that these young writers receive the necessary support to thrive. Through their participation in this program, they gain invaluable experience while contributing to a greater cause.