Frank Earl Birch (November 11, 1883) was a college football and basketball referee who first introduced signals. In 1920, he passed out cards to coaches and the press with a code of twelve gestures. He was a graduate of Earlham College. He married Margaret Johnson. He was also once mayor of Sterling, Illinois. References 1883 births 1948 deaths College football officials Earlham Quakers men's basketball players College men's basketball referees in the United States Earlham Quakers baseball players Earlham Quakers football players Mayors of places in Illinois People from Sterling, Illinois