It all started one day in 1993 when Parkland resident Fred Yarmuth, 70, was driving down the street and saw some kids playing ball in a field. “Hmm,” he thought, “I might like to be their referee.”
Little did he know that more than 30 years later, he would come to be known as Parkland’s “legendary referee,” or as Broward County Mayor Michael Udine nicknamed him affectionately, “Freddy the Ref.”
Born in Passaic, NJ, Yarmouth moved to Louisville, KY, as a child and attended the University of Louisville. He later worked for the now-defunct restaurant chain Victoria Station, and then he worked with his dad in construction and cleaning new homes.
In 1979 he moved to North Miami Beach, a move that would define the rest of his life. He met and married his wife, Karen. The two have two daughters, Lindsay, 37, an attorney, and Brittany, 33, who works for a health-care company, and a 6-year-old grandson, Brandon, who just started playing flag football and basketball in Parkland sports.
“I try not to ref him,” jokes Yarmuth.
While he may refrain from refereeing his grandson, Yarmuth has been an essential part of many children’s and families’ sporting lives in Parkland. He made his mark on Parkland sports and has been integral to the growth of the Parkland sports leagues over the past three decades.
Yarmuth is known for his patience, compassion, and kindness, and he takes time out to teach others the rules of the game and the importance of sportsmanship. He has left a lasting impact on the development of young athletes, both on and off the field.
He volunteers countless hours working with others to improve the sports services and facilities, and many say he is the true heart of recreational sports in Parkland.
“For as long as I can remember, Freddy has been a vital part of Parkland rec sports, and as a result, a part of the Brier family as well,” says Simeon Brier, Parkland’s vice mayor and city commissioner for District 1.
“Whether it was refereeing my younger brothers’ games, games I coached while in college, games for my two daughters in multiple sports, and now refereeing games for my niece and nephews, Freddy has seen multiple generations of Parklanders on the courts and fields of our city parks,” he says.
Brier, who was elected last November, and who has lived in Parkland for 40 years and coached rec sports in the city since the 1990s, is familiar with the ins and outs of the job. “Freddy has a great sense of humor, a passion for youth sports, and is a beloved part of the Parkland community.”
Yarmuth’s passion for sports began when he played basketball in high school, and he gives credit to his former intramural coach, Eugene Minton, for encouraging his love of the game.
It’s that love he passes down to his players. “I love working with the kids,” says Yarmuth. “I love teaching them the rules, seeing them play the game over the years, and watching them grow up. Some of my first kids now have their own kids in the league.
“I’ve seen them come full circle,” he says.
In his younger days, Yarmuth would pick up the little kids and put them on his shoulders to help them make a basket. “They remember me to this day for that,” he says. “That really made their season.”
One of the kids he refereed since the age of 4 is now 16-year-old Broward Preparatory School sophomore Nate Harmelin, who played flag football and basketball.
“Freddy is the grandpa that everyone loves,” says Harmelin. “He makes us laugh with his jokes. We always have a good time with Freddy, and whether I’m on the court or run into him in Parkland, I always get a good laugh from Freddy.”
His father, Adam Harmelin, who coaches football and basketball, says, “Freddy always tries to help the younger kids who are not playing well. He always looks out for the underdog. He’s a wonderful man.”
In addition to his volunteer referee duties, Yarmuth works as a paraprofessional at Riverside Elementary in Coral Springs, volunteers his time packing food boxes with Feeding South Florida, and volunteers on local political campaigns.
In 2021 he was honored with the Humanitarian Award from the Parkland Flag Football League, and in 2022 he was inducted into the Dr. Nan S. Hutchison Broward County Senior Hall of Fame and honored for his contribution and service to the community. A plaque with his name hangs in the Broward County Government Building.
“Freddy’s commitment and dedication to the league is second to none,” says Evan Golden, a Parkland flag football board member for the past five years. “Not only has he devoted countless hours to the kids, but he builds relationships with both the kids and their families.”
“Freddy makes sure to develop relationships on and off the field,” says Golden. “He’s always in a good mood, brings a positive energy and good spirit, and always tries to get all the kids involved to have fun and learn the sport.”
In his own life, Yarmuth says his parents and two brothers were his biggest influences. “We all encouraged each other,” he says. He credits his wife Karen for “keeping me on the straight and narrow.”
When not on the field, Yarmuth enjoys a good game of golf, and cruising to Alaska with extended family.
“Freddy is a charismatic and selfless individual who has dedicated decades to the Parkland community in the form of refereeing sports and creating amazing memories and relationships with the parents, players, and coaches he has refereed,” says Jacob Brier, president of the Parkland Basketball Club.
“He is a staple in Parkland and deserves all the recognition and credit as his commitment to the community and youth sports is unmatched,” Brier says.
What have been some of the highlights of Yarmuth’s refereeing career?
“Being inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame,” he says. “Every day is an adventure. I’m very low-key, but am thrilled when a parent remembers me from refereeing their kid—that’s a thrill.”
Does he have any words of advice for someone considering the position?
“Do your best and enjoy it,” Yarmuth says. “Don’t take it too seriously. If you want it as a career, it’s a great profession—it’s been good to me.”
