NPC SOUTHERN STATES CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 JUDGING PANEL
The NPC Southern States Championships have been known for having the best judging panels consisting of judges from across the country. We continue this legacy by once again having a full panel of IFBB PRO LEAGUE Judges. Even more special is that three of our judges have sat on the MR. OLYMPIA and ARNOLD CLASSIC judging panels.
Unlike a Regional NPC judge, these judges have been around for many years, are highly trained & respected, have been on Professional Shows, and know the physique of a Pro Athlete. This is a plus for our competitors as they will be evaluated at a higher standard than a normal judging panel.
If you plan on one day going pro or wish to improve your craft these judges will be a massive asset to your journey. Their evaluations and critiques can correct your on stage presentation/posing/package and this could prove to be the change needed to win and go pro!
In addition, these are many of the judges that you will be in front of at NPC National Shows. Sometimes all it takes is to make a good impression here at the Southern States Championships to be remembered when you are seen again on the big stage.
Let’s meet this year’s judging panel!
TIM GARDNER | TAMPA, FL
NPC Florida & Zone III Chairman | 2019 – Current
NPC Puerto Rico Chairman | 2014 – Current
Mr. Olympia Judge | 2015 – Current
Mr. Olympia Expo Director | 2020 – Current
IFBB Pro League International Judge | 2017 – Current
IFBB Pro League Head Judge & Official | 2016 – Current
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2008 – Current
NPC National Judge | 2002 – Current
Gene Massey Award Recipient | 2000
About:
Tim Gardner competed in the NPC in Men’s Bodybuilding from 1988 till 1998. Tim competed successfully in his 10 year span; collecting bodybuilding titles throughout the local, state and regional levels, while eventually cracking the top 8 in the National rankings. After retiring in 1998 he started judging and promoting shows. His first show, the HURRICANE & TYPHOON BAY has been running for over 20 years. In his “spare” time he is travelling the world as owner of TIM GARDNER PRODUCTIONS and is the MR. OLYMPIA WEEKEND Expo Director.
Southern States Memory:
“While competing in the 1998 Southern States, Emcee, Mike Katz brought my son Brett on stage during the awards ceremony. It was his 10th Birthday and it was a very special moment for both of us. This was the last show I competed in, as I retired right there in that moment.” In addition, Tim was awarded our prestigious Gene Massey Award for this contributions to the sport in 2000.
TIM GARDNER PRODUCTIONS SHOWS:
NPC MEL CHANCEY CHAMPION MUSCLE CLASSIC | Website
NPC ROMPE CUELLO BORICUA MUSCLE CHAMPIONSHIPS | Website
IFBB CHICAGO PRO | IFBB CHICAGO MASTERS PRO | NPC WORLDWIDE MS. INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING PRO QUALIFIER | NPC CHICAGO EXTRAVAGANZA | Website
IFBB TAMPA PRO | IFBB TAMPA MASTERS PRO | NPC TAMPA EXTRAVAGANZA | Website
IFBB SAN ANTONIO PRO | IFBB SAN ANTONIO MASTERS PRO | NPC SAN ANTONIO EXTRAVAGANZA | Website
IFBB HURRICANE PRO | IFBB HURRICANE MASTERS PRO | NPC HURRICANE BAY CHAMPIONSHIPS | Website
NPC PUERTO RICO CHAMPIONSHIPS | Website
IFBB ATLANTIC COAST PRO | IFBB ATLANTIC COAST MASTERS PRO | NPC ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS | Website
Southern States Judge:
2000, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
VINCE CRAWFORD | ATLANTA, GA
NPC Georgia Chairman | 2019 – Current
Mr. Olympia Judge | 2022
Arnold Classic Judge | 3 Times
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2018 – Current
NPC National Judge | 2015 – Current
NPC Regional Judge | 2006 – Current
About:
Vince first joined the NPC as a competitor and competed as a bodybuilder from 1995 – 2004. He then became a NPC judge in 2006 and has continued to rise in the ranks, culminating in a seat on the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic Judging Panels. He has been a NPC staple in the Georgia, and is currently the NPC Georgia Chairman.
Vince is also a judge at the DeKalb County Juvenile Court.
Southern States Memory:
Vince is a longtime Southern States Judge. He first came down in 2008 and came down to South Florida for many years. One of his favorite memories and contributions to the show was introducing Peter Potter to the state of the art (at the time) Excel Scoring sheets. This was a massive change for the show as scorekeeping was done with a calculator and carbon paper since its inception.
Southern States Judge:
2008, 2023
DENNIS “DEKE” WARNER | ORLANDO, FL
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2018 – Current
NPC National Judge | 2015 – Current
NPC Regional Judge | 1990 – Current
Gene Massey Award Recipient | 2020
About:
Deke’s NPC journey started in 1981 after being sidelined with a football injury. He competed as a bodybuilder and always looked up to Mike Ashley as his inspiration. After his on stage days came to an end Deke became a judge and started promoting as well. He has been the promoter of the NPC Mid-Florida for the last 25 years and the promoter of the NPC Florida State for 12 years now.
Southern States Memory:
Deke competed in the Southern States in 1998. He was the oldest HeavyWeight winner than year at the age of 35. Also competing that year were Flex Wheeler and Shawn Ray. Deke started judging at the Southern States in the late 80’s and has been a regular on the judging panel.
Southern States Judge:
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
JOHN HNATYSCHAK | DELRAY BEACH, FL
Mr. Olympia Judge | – Current
IFBB Pro League Judge | – Current
NPC National Judge | – Current
About:
Hnatyschak started competing in the NPC at the age of 23 in New Jersey and competed for 12 years. In 1984 he won Nationals and the Mr. Universe. He then became a judge and has been doing so in the NPC and IFBB Pro League for over 30 years. John was also the promoter of the BLUE RIDGE CLASSIC in Virginia. He now travels the world with the IFBB Pro League
Southern States Memory:
Guest posing for the Southern States in 1985. This will be John’s sixth time judging the show.
Southern States Judge:
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
DR. PETER-JOHN RHODEN | MIAMI, FL
NPC Broward County Chairman | 2014 – 2019
IFBB Pro League Judge | 2009 – Current
NPC National Judge | 2004 – Current
NPC Regional Judge | 1993 – Current
Gene Massey Award Recipient | 2007
About:
Dr Pete was once an NPC competitor before he sat on a judges panel. He started to officiate in 1993 and 2019 will mark his 26th year as an NPC Official. At one time, Dr. Rhoden was the promoter of the SUPERIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. He now is the owner of his own practice, CROSS MEDICINE, where he is Dr. of Medicine and Acupuncture. He received the Alex Guerra Award in 2018.
Southern States Memory:
Dr. Peter Rhoden was awarded our prestigious Gene Massey Award for this contributions to the sport in 2007.
Southern States Judge:
2007, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Stay Up to Date With The Latest Southern States News & Updates
Join Our Newsletter
Be the first to recieve updates, stories, news, and more!
Follow Us
Find us on your favorite social platform. Be sure to say hello!