About Bob
Bob Durland
The Idaho Lacrosse Officials Association is proud to announce the dedication of the Official of the Year Award in honor of Bob Durland, a longtime Idaho lacrosse Hall of Fame official. With over 30 years of officiating experience across youth, high school, and collegiate levels, Bob has made significant contributions to the sport.
Prior to officiating, he played as a goalie at UMass Amherst, and led his team to the USILA Final Four and the NCAA quarterfinals. Starting in 2024, the Bob Durland Official of the Year Award will recognize officials who exemplify exceptional dedication and performance in lacrosse. This award is named in recognition of Bob Durland’s remarkable contributions to the profession and his commitment to the communities served by the Idaho Lacrosse Officials Association. Annually, this award will honor officials who demonstrate integrity and professionalism both on and off the field.
Recipients not only showcase exemplary officiating skills during games but may also contribute actively to the lacrosse community through mentorship, education, and other avenues. This award highlights the vital role these individuals play in advancing lacrosse officiating in the areas we serve and beyond.
2024 Winner:
Josh Burkart (Boise, ID)
We are thrilled to announce that lacrosse official Joshua Burkart has been awarded the 2024 Bob Durland Official of the Year Award by the Idaho Lacrosse Officials Association.
Joshua’s journey in lacrosse began in 4th grade in Michigan, where he played midfield and face-off, ultimately leading his high school team to secure two high school state championships. Although as a player he primarily pursued hockey at the collegiate level, he remained connected to lacrosse, representing Team Michigan at two world jamborees. A highlight of his lacrosse experience was witnessing the legendary 1998 World Lacrosse Championship in Baltimore, where the USA triumphed over Canada in a double-overtime match, often referred to as the greatest field lacrosse game ever played.
Since starting his lacrosse officiating career in 2017 in Utah, Joshua was selected to officiate two Utah high school Division 1 state championships. After moving to Idaho in 2022, he recently was selected to his first Idaho high school state championship. His commitment to professional development is evident through advance lacrosse officiating training sessions in Chapel Hill, NC, and Park City, UT, both of which were invite-only events. In addition to lacrosse, Joshua has been an ice hockey official since age 13, currently serving in the ECHL and officiating in the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) and local college leagues.
He lives in Boise, Idaho, with his wife, a native Idahoan, and their four children—two girls who play lacrosse and two boys who play hockey. Joshua also coaches both hockey and lacrosse for his children’s teams and serves as a licensed foster parent alongside his wife. The Bob Durland Official of the Year Award celebrates officials who exemplify integrity and professionalism on and off the field while acknowledging dedication and performance in lacrosse officiating. Joshua truly represents these values and has made a significant impact on the lacrosse community, both as an official and a coach. Please join the Idaho Lacrosse Officials Association in congratulating Joshua on this well-deserved recognition.