Meet The Hammer Sports Assignors
Carlton White
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Assigning: Acts as the Primary Assignor for Slowpitch Softball and works collaboratively with Zach and Heidi on assignments for other sports.
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Training & Development: Oversees the education and mentorship of new referees and coordinates all official training clinics.
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Conflict Resolution: Serves as the designated lead for mediating and resolving all on- and off-field disputes
More about Carlton
Carlton is a seasoned official with extensive experience in both adult and youth sports leagues. He is a familiar and respected presence on the court and field, officiating basketball, volleyball, and slowpitch softball.
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Known for his charismatic personality and collaborative spirit, Carlton excels at building strong relationships with fellow officials, coaches, and league partners.
This positive approach, combined with a genuine passion for mentorship, makes him a natural leader in recruiting and training new officials to help them succeed.
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When he is not officiating or assigning, Carlton enjoys working out and spending quality time with his son. He also serves his community as a bus driver.
Heidi Jo Schwichtenberg
Heidi handles several critical functions for our organization:​
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Financial Administration: Oversees all client invoicing and ensures timely payroll for officials.
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Operations and Assigning: Provides essential day-to-day administrative support and manages the assignment of officials for Volleyball and Basketball.
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Official Compliance & Onboarding: Manages the complete application process for officials, including the collection and processing of W-9, Independent Contractor, and 1099 tax forms.
More about Heidi
Heidi is a veteran official with more than 20 years of experience across MSHSL, adult, and youth sports. She is highly accomplished in multiple sports, including volleyball, fastpitch softball, wheelchair basketball, and girls' lacrosse.
Her expertise in basketball is highlighted by numerous appearances officiating at the MSHSL Girls' State Basketball Tournament.
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A former collegiate basketball player, Heidi possesses a deep understanding of the game from both an athlete's and an official's perspective. Her passion for athletics extends beyond the court through her active volunteer work in adapted athletics, demonstrating a strong commitment to making sports accessible for all.
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Outside of officiating, Heidi leads an active lifestyle that includes playing pickleball, weightlifting, and REFIT dance fitness. She is an avid follower of Minnesota's professional sports teams, is involved in her local church, and has recently embraced the challenge of cold plunging.
Zach Gustafson
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Active MSHSL official in Football, Basketball, and Baseball.
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Serves as a collegiate official in the MIAC and UMAC for football and baseball.
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Acts as Co-Assigner for Hammer Sports Officials.
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Holds the position of Director of Basketball Operations for the Minneapolis Officials Association.
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Serves as the Assigner for the Northwest Association of Umpires, managing high school, JUCO, and fall baseball.
More about Zach
A native of Grand Rapids, MN, Zach Gustafson has been immersed in athletics his entire life. As a three-sport athlete in high school, he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. Zach continued his athletic journey at Vermilion Community College, competing in all three sports, before finishing his collegiate playing career at Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, WI, as a member of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).
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After his playing eligibility concluded, Zach transitioned to the sidelines, coaching college football for three years in Dubuque, IA. Upon returning to Minnesota, he coached high school baseball in Grand Rapids and later at Simley High School. Now self-employed as a Home Inspector, his passion for sports remains a constant.
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Zach's extensive experience as both a player and a coach provides him with a unique perspective on officiating. He is driven by a desire to give back to the games that shaped him, ensuring that "kids at all levels can play a game and not just have a practice."
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In his role with Hammer Sports Officials, Zach is instrumental in aligning and negotiating pay rates, recruiting and training officials, and managing assignments.