NBA Referee Scott Foster Considers His Late Parents, Dickie And Pam Foster As His Biggest Inspiration

His parents are surely proud of him!

May 31, 2026

This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on May 26, 2026

Scott Foster is one of the most recognizable and polarizing referees in NBA history. Nicknamed “The Extender” and “Agent 48,” his whistle has echoed through some of the league’s biggest moments.

But behind the headlines and heated criticism lies a lesser-known, deeply human story: the enduring influence of Scott Foster’s parents, Dickie and Pam Foster.

Scott Foster is the crew chief for Game 3 of Knicks vs Pacers.

— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse)

Scott Foster’s Parents Raised Him Alongside Two Brothers

Born on April 8, 1967, in Silver Spring, Maryland, Scott Foster was raised in a household where integrity, hard work, and service to others were non-negotiable values.

His father, Dickie Foster, was a decorated assistant fire chief in Montgomery County, while mother, Pamela Klein Foster, worked for the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Transportation.

Scott Foster With His Late Parents, Dickie And Pam Foster (Source: The Athletic)

Together, they raised three sons: David, Thomas, and Scott, in a vibrant, middle-class household.

The Foster home was often the hub for neighborhood activity: pool parties, backyard barbecues, and softball stories featuring the legendary Dickie.

Mother Pam Foster Was The Heart Of The Foster Family

Pam Foster passed away in September 2016, at 72, after a with OPMD (Ocular Pharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy).

Known for her poise and patience, Pam provided emotional stability in a household full of strong personalities.

She was married to Dickie for over 50 years and was an early supporter of Scott’s unconventional dreams, even if they were difficult to understand at first.

Pam’s quiet support was instrumental in Scott’s rise. While she didn’t seek attention, her values shaped the man her son would become.

Father Dickie Foster’s Tough Love Shaped His Career

Of the two, Dickie Foster was the more vocal and influential figure in Scott’s professional journey.

He wasn’t sold on his son’s early decision to walk away from high-paying college games to join the Continental Basketball Association for just $95 a night.

Over beers at a bar in 1992, Dickie tried to talk his son out of what he saw as a risky gamble.

,

“Not everyone can be Michael Jordan.”

Scott replied,

“But what if I’m the Michael Jordan of officiating?”

In time, Dickie would become Scott’s biggest fan.

When Scott received his first white referee jacket, awarded to those officiating in the NBA Finals, he presented it to his dad as a tribute to his guidance and belief.

Dickie proudly wore it around Ocean City, a symbol not just of his son’s success but of a shared journey from skepticism to pride.

Sadly, Foster’s father passed away in 2026.

After officiating a playoff game between Boston and Cleveland, Foster learned in the early morning hours that his father had passed away at age 79.

Despite the grief, he never considered skipping his next game as his father never missed a day of work, and Scott was determined to honor that legacy.

Before Game 2 in Oklahoma City, Foster, as he does before every game, said a quiet prayer for his family, including his mother and father.

Today, because of that experience, Scott Foster is more than just the most playoff-experienced referee in NBA history.

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