The Westchester basketball community is grieving the loss of longtime youth referee and mentor Howie Green, who died at the age of 82. Green’s career spanned more than 24,000 games across seven decades — a record few believe will ever be broken. Known for his boundless energy and devotion to the sport, he began officiating at just 15 and became a fixture at the Westchester County Center, the heart of Section 1 basketball.

Colleagues describe Green as “indestructible,” “fiery” and “a stickler for the rules.” His passion and precision helped shape generations of players and referees, even as youth officiating faces a nationwide shortage. As fellow officials reflect on his unmatched legacy, one thing is clear: while Howie Green’s whistle may have gone silent, his impact will echo on Westchester courts for years to come.