Official

Ernest (Ernie) Withers is being inducted as an official for his Lifetime Service to Wrestling. Ernie started his officiating career in St. Petersburg, FL, in 1989. Ernie has been a FSHAA registered Official for twenty years. He also was a referee for the National High School Coaches Association for five years. Ernie has refereed numerous Christmas, District, Regional, State and National tournaments. He was also a high school football official for seven years.                                                                                  

 Ernie is the General Manager of Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota, an AutoNation Company, and has been in the automotive business for 40 years. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Sarasota Salvation Army Advisory Board member, Community Leadership Council member of the University of South Florida, Sarasota County Sheriff Association board member and Manatee County Desoto Historical Society member. He is a former Southeast High School Booster club president and a former PTO president for Bashaw Elementary. He has also served in the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.

Ernie was born in Youngstown, Ohio, then moved to Long Island, New York at a young age. He was a three-year Varsity wrestler for Ward Melville High School. He graduated in 1972. He wrestled in 73-74 for Rick Tucci at Miami Dade Jr. College North Campus.  He finished his competitive wrestling in 75-76 wrestling for the University of South Florida wrestling club, where he graduated in 1976. He credits his love for wrestling to his two older brothers who also wrestled.     

Ernie met his wife Cindy at the University of South Florida. They will be celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary on August 27th. He is the proud father of three children - Charlie and his wife Kelly, Lisa and her husband Eric, and Rachel and her husband Josh. He is also the proud grandfather of seven: Allie, Calin, Colton, Kayden, Jaxon, Brody and Mary Anne.