Official / Contributor Ralph Ballou has been committed to wrestling in Florida for quite some time. The Florida High School Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations both have issued certificates to Ralph for 25 years of service. The United States Wrestling Officials Association has documented 21 years of volunteer service to amateur wrestling for him at the regional, national and international level. These certificates only tell a small part of the story of Ralph's efforts to expand opportunities for Florida's youth in amateur wrestling. In the past Ralph served as an Area Director for the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association and when not helping to organize Saturday tournaments or officiate them, he would visit wrestling coaches, athletic directors and principals in an effort to convince them of the importance of wrestling to their athletic program and especially the importance of the Olympic styles program. Ralph was responsible for establishing four new clubs. Ralph could always be counted upon to help in any way he could to promote Florida wrestling. When health problems kept him off the mat as an official, he pitched in to help his wife, Mary, in the pairing room. There was no area in amateur wrestling where Ralph wasn't willing to help. In addition to his refereeing skills; Ralph Ballou was always positive, cheerful and able to supply common sense when it was in short supply and to bring a peaceful and fair solution to problems when tempers flared. His humility kept him in the background but didn't diminish his effectiveness in promoting amateur wrestling.