Manchester's Carl "Bo" Cuchetti and Laconia's Robert Mercer were granted lifetime membership in the New Hampshire Football Officials Association -- the organization's top award -- during the NHFOA's annual business meeting and president's reception on Saturday at The Yard in Manchester.

Cuchetti and Mercer are both longtime New Hampshire officials.

In addition, the NHFOA presented is annual sportsmanship award banners to the following schools: Manchester West (Division I), Exeter (Division II), Milford (Division III), Hanover (Division IV), Kearsarge (Division V) and Gilford (Division VI).

Five head coaches -- Nashua South's Scott Knight, Souhegan's Mike Beliveau, Plymouth's Chuck Lenahan, Pelham's Tom Babaian and Franklin's Greg Husband -- were among the invited guests in attendance.

Other noteworthy items:

• Ougoing president John Reardon presented appreciation gifts to outgoing chairman of the board Joseph Rolka. Reardon also introduced president-elect Mike Murphy. Reardon will replace Rolka as chairman of the board. Dave Dickson, Tim Begley and Ernie Clark were elected to three-year terms on the board of directors.
• Service recognition awards were presented to officials Peter Gregorakis (30 years), Steve Esonis (20 years) and Bert Lawlor (20 years).
• The selection of on-field officials for the 2009 Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl were announced: Mark Fraser, Phil Williams and Kevin Smick will represent the NHFOA at the 2009 game.
• Apprentice chairman Glenn Colburn introduced newly certified officials. Among those approved for NHFOA membership were Joel Harrington, Drew Dickson and Mike Barberian.
• A moment of reflection was held to honor the memory of NHFOA veteran official Gerry Rochette, who passed away before the 2008 season. NHFOA representatives honored Rochette during the 2008 season by wearing commemorative pins on their striped jerseys for all games.