Floyd Flippen
Beyond the whistles and the venues, which primarily unfold in West Tennessee but can stretch across the Volunteer State when postseason arrives on football fields and basketball hardwoods, an old Toyota van serves as de facto library.
Floyd Flippin is at the wheel, hauling around members of his high school football officiating staff. The van, a 2005 model, is pushing 20 years old and some 210,000 miles on the odometer.
But the tales those tires might tell.
A Milan native and former high school player under the legendary John Tucker and Glen McCadams, Flippin now counts some 22 years as an high school football official and an additional dozen years on the whistle for prep basketball games.
He’s also the latest honoree for the TSSAA’s prestigious Distinguished Service Award.
“I started at age 44, and have stayed with it ever since; it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” said Flippin, a two-time University of Tennessee graduate and practicing attorney who praises R.L. ‘Buddy’ Patey as well as Dr. Wayne Hinson for his work as a football official. “From August to March, I have a game every week, and I look forward to it just like the players do.
“You get to see players grow, kids do good things, not only athletically but through sportsmanship and life. And you’ve got the best seat in the house. You get to be a part of just a fantastic environment each and every week. I’m 66 now, still able to do football and basketball, and I love both sports.
“There are challenges. But I still study film, the rule book. The fellowship with other officials is special, just something you’ll always remember.”
Flippin’s effectiveness as an official is evident; not merely in his honoring as an DSA winner but also in working a pair of BlueCross Bowl State Championships on the gridiron.
Still, he relishes his own memories as a player but emphasizes his own modest contributions.
“I grew up in Milan, a sports-crazed town and in a neighborhood full of kids,” said Flippin, praising wife Guinda, son, Clint, and daughter, Clare, for their support of his officiating. “I wasn’t very good at it, but I did play for legendary in coaches Tucker and McCadams and they taught the game.
“When I got my wife and two kids in position where I could work on Friday nights, I was a sideline reporter for Humboldt football for 10 years. Enjoyed the heck out of that. Just loved the game of football.”
It was one of those Friday night trips after officiating a football game that opened up the gateway to call basketball games for Flippin, who’s now been on the whistle for more than 550 combined TSSAA football and basketball contests.
“Billy Schrivner said to me driving home from Cookeville after a State Championship, not only will officiating basketball help you in football but it also will give you something to do during the doldrums of the winter months,” Flippin said. “Unfortunately, many officials have since passed away, but I remember so many of those officials and the trips with them and the games and memories we shared together.”
All of which keeps Flippin coming back for more opportunities.
“Basketball has been a great addition to football,” he said. “The major difference is the time you have to make a decision. You have more time in football; basketball requires quicker decisions and yet you want to get all the calls right.
“It’s a challenge, but I love it.”
TSSAA is proud to salute Floyd Flippen for his many years of service as a football and basketball official.
