National Football Foundation

For over 30 years, Al Hynes has devoted his life to the game of football, and in particular, officiating. Compiling an extensive and impressive resume officiating in the BIG EAST and ECAC Conferences, his dedication to and influence on the game continued as an officiating supervisor, administrator and scout with the National Football League.

Hynes began his officiating career in 1969 at the high school level in his native New Jersey. In 1978 he embarked on a collegiate career that would span 19 years and include the respected assignment of the officiating the Army-Navy game in 1989 and 1995.

"His greatest skill was in being able to handle players and coaches in the most difficult of situations," said John Soffey, BIG EAST Coordinator of Officials for football. "He was honest with the players, and his integrity was beyond question. Possessed with an abundance of common sense, Al rarely got into a controversial or uncomfortable situation. He was highly thought of by all the coaches and his fellow officials."

In 1996, Hynes was hired by the NFL as supervisor of officials to direct the league's scouting program of college officials. "Al has done a wonderful job in coordinating our scouting program as well as our game observer program," said NFL Director of Officiating Mike Pereira. "He set up a top-notch program as evidenced by the quality of first-year officials we have brought into the league in recent years. He communicated on a regular basis with every college supervisor of officials at the Division I-A and I-AA levels to select the best possible officials for the NFL." In his six years as supervisor of officials, Hynes has been responsible for the hiring of 56 current NFL officials.

Since his retirement on Sept. 6, 2002, Hynes has remained active with the league as an Instant Replay Official, traveling across the country every weekend during the NFL season, and as a part-time college scout.

Hynes was a police officer in Bergen County, N.J. for 27 years (1965-92) and retired as a captain of detectives in the prosecutor's office in 1996. He and his wife, June, have two daughters Karen and Nadine.