The Atlantic Coast Conference and BIG EAST Conference announced today the formation of a men’s basketball officiating alliance, which also includes the Atlantic 10 and Colonial Athletic Association, who have collaborated with the ACC in previous years.
The alliance, which begins immediately, enables the four conferences to work together on all officiating matters and will serve to enhance training, development, recruitment, retention and feedback for its basketball officials.
John Cahill, BIG EAST Supervisor of Officials, and Bryan Kersey, the ACC’s Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officiating, both former top NCAA referees, will manage officiating operations for the alliance, which brings together two of the strongest officiating programs in college basketball. In 2015-16, 32 referees associated with the BIG EAST and ACC were selected to work in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“As we seek to continue to improve college basketball and the quality of our officiating program, I’m pleased that we have been able form this alliance with the BIG EAST, the A-10 and the CAA” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Combining the expertise and resources of these outstanding basketball conferences gives us a chance to prominently support current and future officials. Throughout their careers, John and Bryan have demonstrated a tremendous understanding of the challenges that are faced by teams and officials, and having them collaborate will only increase the level of officiating for all four leagues. I’d like to especially thank Paul Brazeau and Stu Jackson for their quality work in helping us get to this point. All of our member institutions and the sport of college basketball stand to benefit from this collaboration in scheduling, travel, training and evaluation.”
“The BIG EAST has historically operated independently in officiating matters, and we now look forward to joining forces with the ACC, A-10 and CAA to build on our existing program and to contribute to the long-term development of officiating across the NCAA,” said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. “Our coaches, referees and student-athletes will all gain from this new collaboration and from the credibility, experience and know-how that John and Bryan will bring to bear on one of the most important areas of the game.”
“Partnering with the ACC two years ago has been excellent for the officials working the games and for our teams,” said A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “Everyone has benefited from more efficient scheduling, training and evaluation opportunities. The addition of the BIG EAST will only enhance and strengthen men’s basketball officiating in all aspects.”
“The CAA is excited to continue its longstanding relationship with the ACC and A-10, and be part of the newly formed alliance with the BIG EAST,” said CAA Commissioner Joseph F. D’Antonio. “We look forward to working with John and Bryan and know that the game of college basketball, the institutions of the four conferences in the Alliance and most importantly all of our student-athletes stand to benefit from the implementation of this collaborative initiative.”