Cornie Wassink was raised near Sioux Center, Iowa and graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1969. While in high school, he was active in football, baseball, basketball, and track, as well as 4-H and FFA. Cornie graduated from Northwestern College, lettering in football, wrestling, and track. He was an All-American Offensive tackle in 1972. His education took him to Fairfield, where he taught and coached until 1979. Since 1979, he has been with Northwestern College, first as Director of Capital Fundraising and Director of Planned Giving, and then as Fundraising and Planned Giving Consultant in 1990.
Cornie began officiating while in college, and the 2009-2010 school year marks his 40th year as an official. In addition to being a track and field official, cross country, and football official at both the high school and college level, he as officiated basketball, wrestling, baseball, and softball. For track and field, he has been a starter/referee for 615 varsity high school meets, and as a college official for over 250 meets. He estimates he has worked at least 950 track meets, in one officiating capacity or another. Cornie currently holds US Track and Field certification in 20 areas, with Master certification in 6 areas. He has been a state meet starter 16 times.
Cornie is a charter member of the Northwestern College Athletic Hall of Fame, inducted in 1982, and the IHSAA Official’s Hall of Fame, inducted in 2008. Cornie, and the late John Lowry, were the founding fathers of the IATO in 1999.