Speakers

An NISOA member since 1978, Abraham was elected to the association’s hall of fame in 2008 and served as its president in 2013-2014. He has officiated NCAA DI, DII and DIII soccer tournaments, including as referee in three men’s championship finals. He prepares soccer training materials for the NCAA and NAIA, exams, refresher tests and quizzes for the NCAA and writes and edits for Referee magazine.

Felix “Phil” Addeo assumed the position of executive director for the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) July 1. Addeo has been an IAABO member since 1973 (and involved at the international level since 1985), and served his local New Jersey board and IAABO’s Executive Committee in multiple capacities over the years. He was honored with IAABO Life Membership in 2009 and as the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) Basketball Official of Year.

Omar serves as Director of Sports Partnerships at STRIVR, where he oversees day-to-day operations and leads strategy for the sports training division. He completed his masters degree at Northwestern University, and also served as a football graduate assistant where he helped the Wildcats to back-to-back bowl games in 2008 and 2009. After Northwestern, he worked at the Big Ten Conference, playing a key role in day-to-day operations of the conference’s officiating development programs and video review process for football and basketball.

An active NCAA Division I referee from 1985-2012, Alterman worked NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA postseason events. She was PAVO Executive Director (1996-2016), and a Conference Coordinator for 22 years. She received the NASO Gold Whistle Award in 2015.

Zach Altman is a 19-year-old sophomore majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in Spanish at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Zach has been refereeing youth basketball for the past 3 years, but after joining the San Antonio Basketball Officials Association this past season, he started officiating junior varsity and varsity high school matchups across the city. His TEDx Talk on poor sportsmanship has over 20,000 views on YouTube. One day, he wants to officiate DI college basketball and eventually the NBA.

Illinois High School Association (IHSA) executive director; prior to becoming executive director was an assistant director who oversaw the official’s department, including officials education; former Illinois Athletic Directors Association board of director’s member; National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association member; former IHSA’s Athletic Administrator Committee and Legislative Commission member; former high school athletic director.

A 48-year high school football and basketball official, Bettar served two 3-year terms as president of the California Basketball Officials Association and two 3-year terms as their Southern California representative. He has worked two CIFSS (California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section) finals in basketball and two in football.

John S. Black is General Counsel of the National Federation of State High School Associations. He joined staff in 1998 after serving for some years as outside counsel. He has extensive experience in the areas of sports law, business law and alternative dispute resolution. In addition to his work at the NFHS, he is an adjunct professor at the UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City) Law School, where he teaches Amateur Sports Law, and he periodically conducts commercial arbitrations for the American Arbitration Association.

Ryan was first certified as a soccer official in late February of 2016 and started working rec games at the field five minutes from his house. He was initially reluctant to center games because of doubt and concerns about parents, but was assured he had what it takes to do it. Soon, Ryan was centering U16-U19 select games and running the lines for the men’s league and even college club games at Easter Washington University. Refereeing has opened doors to many opportunities in his life and put him in contact with people that he would not have otherwise met.

Cindy has been officiating youth sports for more than 30 years, mostly volleyball with some experience in basketball and football. She has served as the Washington Officials Association representative for Seattle, WA for many years, including as Executive Board President. Cindy has been inducted into the WOA and WIAA Halls of Fame. Cindy has a master’s degree in Organization and Management with 20+ years of designing, developing, and conducting training in the private and public sector. Mother of two amazing daughters.

Coordinator of football officials for the Collegiate Officiating Consortium-Football (COC) (includes the Big Ten, Mid-American and Missouri Valley Football conferences); prior to joining the COC he served in various management roles at IBM and Manpower for 35 years; former NFL official for 20 seasons before retiring in 2009; officiated eight NFL Championship games, two Super Bowls (XXX and XXXVII) and the 2008 Pro Bowl; former National Football League Referees Association board member and executive director; former Big Ten Conference football and basketball official (1980-88); former semi-pro baseball umpire; NASO treasurer and board member emeritus; Officiating Development Alliance member. Winner of the 2018 Gold Whistle Award.

Carl began officiating in 1980 in Long Beach, CA working various levels of HS and college football. In 1995, he was honored to follow in his father’s footsteps by being appointed to the officiating staff of the Pac-10 where he worked for five seasons. He had the opportunity to work NFL Europe and eventually completed eight seasons there. Following the 1999 NCAA season, he was added to the roster of officials in the NFL as a side judge. Carl became a referee in 2008. Carl has worked many NFL post-season assignments including Super Bowl LI (Atlanta vs. New England) in 2017.

Mike Colbrese is the executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.  He was named as the WIAA’s fourth executive director in the fall of 1993, after serving six years as the Commissioner of the Wyoming High School Activities Association, preceded by five years as Assistant Director of the Montana High School Association. Over the course of his 37 years in state association work, Mike has been involved with various National Federation of State High School Associations committees.

David Coleman was named the vice president of officiating for the PAC-12 Conference in 2015. David is a former Division 1A and 1AA college football official. Previously, David was the director of officiating at the National Football League Headquarters in New York City. He was a line judge in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and a referee in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). He was an instant replay official (video operator) for the National Football League and was a member of the crew that worked Super Bowl XL in Detroit.

Walt Coleman began officiating high school football in 1974, joined the NFL in 1989, and became a referee in the league in 1995. He worked multiple playoff games, two NFL conference championship games during his 30-year NFL career, and was the alternative referee for three Super Bowls. He was an NCAA DI football official in the Southwest Conference. Coleman retired as an official from the NFL after working the pro bowl in 2019.

California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), San Francisco Section commissioner; Member Information and Consultation Program, Referee, NASO and NASO Association Advantage contributor; longtime track and field, and basketball official; longtime lawyer; former NASO board member (2011-14); 2016 Mel Narol Medallion award recipient.

NCAA national coordinator of men’s basketball officiating; former coordinator of officials for the Mid-American Conference and Summit League; former consultant to the Big Ten Conference; former D-I official for nearly two decades, including two Final Fours.

Member of Snohomish County Football Officials Association for 31 years and Snohomish County Wrestling Officials Association for five years.Washington Officials Association (WOA) Executive Board member for nine years. WOA Executive Board President for the last seven years. NFL Sideline Coordinator (Green Hat) for the Seattle Seahawks.

Gordon Corsetti is a lacrosse official who played for ten years before realizing he’d much rather ref than play the game. Originally from Atlanta, GA, he now resides in Baltimore, MD and officiates high school and collegiate lacrosse in the Mid-Atlantic region. He works intently at US Lacrosse creating resources for the development of youth and scholastic officials across the country, as well as writing about rules and officiating.

NBA Referee Operations vice president and director of officials; prior to becoming vice president, Delaney was a referee development advisor and a crew chief development advisor within the NBA officiating department; a former NBA official (1987-2011), having officiated more than 1,500 regular season games and 210 playoff games, including nine NBA Finals and the 1998 and 2011 NBA All-Star games. He is an NBA Cares ambassador; Naismith Hall of Fame Mannie Jackson Human Spirit award recipient; Armed Forces Foundation Leadership award recipient; President Obama’s Volunteer Service award recipient; U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal recipient; Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame board trustee; 2003 Gold Whistle Award recipient; NASO board member.

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) director of umpire development; joined MiLB in 2008 as a field evaluator and instructor before being named director in 2014; umpired 11 seasons in the International, Southern, Carolina, South Atlantic and New York-Penn leagues; during his five years at the Triple-A level was awarded two Arizona Fall League invites and worked parts of three seasons in the MLB; umpired two off seasons in the Puerto Rico Winter League and umpired the inaugural World Baseball Classic (2006).

As a PAVO and USA Volleyball National referee and a PAVO National line judge, Suzanne has worked conference, regional, and national championships in both positions. She currently works in several NCAA Division I and II conferences. She holds a doctorate and master’s degree from Florida State University and currently is on faculty at Anderson University (South Carolina). Her two children are active volleyball players – one of them even aspires to be a volleyball official herself.

David Dodge, Carlsbad, California, served as a NCAAM D-1 basketball official for 30 years, officiated in 18 NCAA Basketball Tournaments and numerous international tournaments, serves on the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) board, and received NASO’s Mel Narol Medallion Award in 2010 for his leadership and contributions to NASO and the officiating industry. Mr. Dodge currently serves as CEO of Sports Officiating Consulting, LLC.

American Specialty Insurance and Risk Services, Inc. (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Vice President, Client Services. American Specialty has served as NASO’s insurance provider since 2004. Jina joined American Specialty in October of 2001 and has served in many roles. Jina is actively involved in working with NASO to determine the best strategies to protect the interests of its members and is one of many resources available to NASO’s membership via the Member Information and Consultation Program. American Specialty was NASO’s 2017 Mel Narol Medallion award recipient.

Currently Director of Referee Performance for the NBA, Crawford entered the NBA in 1977 at the age of 26; prior to joining the NBA, he officiated In the Eastern League (CBA) from1974-76; has officiated more than 2,500 regular season and 300-plus playoff and 50 NBA Finals games; assigned to the 1986, 1992 and 2000 NBA All-Star Games as well as the 1993 McDonald’s Championship in Munich, his playoff and NBA Finals totals are the most among active NBA officials. 2014 Gold Whistle recipient.

International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc. (IAABO) associate executive director, working with the executive director developing educational programs for both beginning and veteran officials; NCAAM D-I basketball official, officiating in 11 conferences (primarily in the Big Ten and Mid-American conferences); nine NCAA tournament assignments; high school basketball supervisor, assigning more than 40 high schools in central Pennsylvania; small college basketball assigner of more than 35 D-III colleges and universities; served more than 20 years in the U.S. Army.

Fox 40 International chief executive officer and founder; chief executive officer and owner of one of North America’s largest trucking logistics companies; current Honorary Colonel of Argyll and Sutherland Army Regiment, appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada; Canadian Entrepreneur of the Decade by Profit magazine; former NCAA D-I and international men’s basketball official; officiated the 1976 Olympic Gold Medal championship basketball game; former NBA officials observer; inducted into several halls of fame; NASO Education Partner; former Officiating Development Alliance member; 2004 Mel Narol Medallion Award recipient; proud charter member of NASO and three-decade sponsor; 2016 NASO Gold Whistle Award recipient; NASO board special adviser. Ron was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2018, by the Governor General of Canada.

As president of the Northern Coast Officials Association and North Bay Volleyball Officials Association, Frieders is highly involved in training/educating officials through the use of educational videos in game situations. He has been a volleyball official for 25 years, basketball, 35 years, football official, 14 years, and baseball umpire 32 years.

Sports law attorney and recognized legal authority for game officials; author of Sports Officiating: A Legal Guide; Member Information and Consultation Program (MICP) representative; professional speaker; Referee and NASO writer and contributor; former NCAA D-I basketball official; former college baseball umpire; former high school football official; serves as special counsel to national, state and local officiating associations, insurance carriers, claims administrators and national and regional sports governing bodies in the sports industry.

NHL officiating consultant (in the area of succession planning and international events); former NHL senior vice president and director of officials; former NHL referee (1979-2004); officiated eight Stanley Cup Finals and one All-Star game; officiated the 1982 World Championships, Helsinki, Finland; NHLOA executive board member for 20 years; 2012 Gold Whistle Award recipient; NASO board member.

From Compton, Calif., Crystal attended and played basketball at Dominguez High School, Compton Community College , and Long Beach State. She has been officiating basketball for 17 years, having completed her first year officiating men’s DI college basketball this past season. She is a proud mother of a beautiful daughter who is a freshman in college and is currently employed as a Peace Officer.

Lisa has officiated women’s Division I college basketball for 18 years, including 9 Final Fours. She officiated in what was then the D League for three years, and the WNBA for five years.

A high school football, basketball, baseball and softball official for over 28 years, Jones currently serves as director of officials for the Alabama High School Athletic Association. He taught an officiating course for 28 years at Jacksonville State University and officiated NCAA women’s college basketball for 8 years (D-I and D-II).

Louisiana High School Officials Association president; former Louisiana high school football official for more than 40 years; Greater New Orleans Football Officials Association member; serves as game officials’ sideline liaison for Tulane University football and for the New Orleans Saints.

Referee  chief strategy officer Referee magazine founder (1975) and publisher; National Association of Sports Officials founder (1980) and president; former 23-year basketball official, who worked nine seasons at the NCAAM D-I level; a renowned public speaker and media guest on issues important to the officiating industry; Officiating Development Alliance (ODA) and Officiating Commentators Alliance (OCA) member.

Minnesota State High School League coordinator of officials; responsible for the overall development and implementation of registration, training and mentorship programs for 6,300 officials serving over 525 member schools; NCAA D-I football official in the Big Ten Conference; NCAAM D-II and D-III basketball official; former physical education and adapted physical education teacher of 10 years.

In August, 2018 Dr. Karissa Niehoff assumed the position of executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). In 2010 she was named executive director of the Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Previously, Niehoff served on the NFHS board, committees and task forces. She is actively involved in advocacy and policy development for education-based programs and athletics alongside colleagues from multiple stakeholder groups.

US Lacrosse senior manager, officials development; responsible for the overall development, implementation and management of US Lacrosse’s national initiatives towards recruitment, retention, training and leadership programs for US Lacrosse men’s and women’s officials, serving youth, scholastic, collegiate and international games; current NCAAM lacrosse official; Officiating Development Alliance member.

Having officiated the NCAAW basketball tournament 20+ times; 1978 UCLA women’s basketball national championship team member and inducted in UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame; retired Los Angeles Police Department commanding officer; former NASO board member (2003-2007) and starts a second term in 2017. She is the business owner of Phenix Salon Suites.

Dana Pappas is beginning her 23nd year with the New Mexico Activities Association, all of which have been spent working with the New Mexico Officials Association. She served as the assistant to the NMOA from 1997-2004 and was promoted to the position of NMAA/NMOA Commissioner of Officials in 2004. She was promoted again to NMAA Deputy Director in 2012. She was on the Referee Magazine editorial Board from January 2010 to December 2012. The New Mexico Officials Association, under Dana’s direction, served as host of the 2014 NASO Summit in Albuquerque, NM. She has been a moderator and panelist at the NASO Summit on numerous occasions, a repeat presenter at the NFHS Summer Meeting and the keynote speaker for the Alabama State Officials Conference in 2016. She received the NFHS Citation for Officials in June.

Fox Sports rules analyst for network’s NFL and NCAA coverage; Chief Zebra Productions Inc. president; Battlefield to Ballfields founder and president (a non-profit foundation that awards scholarships to Veterans of the Armed Forces to become sports officials in their communities); former NFL vice president of officiating (2001-10) where he appeared on NFL Network show, NFL Total Access during the “Official Review” segment; former NFL supervisor and Western Athletic Conference supervisor of officials; retired NFL and NCAA D-I football official; officiated eight college bowl games; former Officiating Development Alliance member; Officiating Commentators Alliance member; NASO vice-chair.

Pac-12 and Mountain West conference coordinator of women’s volleyball officiating; former NCAA national coordinator of volleyball officials; former Professional Association of Volleyball Officials president; team leader for the U.S. women’s national team competing at World Grand Prix and the Olympics in 2008; more than 20 years as a USA Volleyball national official and more than 30 years as a collegiate national official; has officiated numerous NCAA semifinal and final matches; former Coronado (Colo.) High School head volleyball coach; former NASO board member (2001-05 and 2011-15); Officiating Development Alliance member.

Rice’s duties include supervision and coordination of the 10,000 registered athletic officials in Michigan, along with sport responsibilities for baseball. Prior to joining the MHSAA staff, Brent served on the staff of the Wendelstedt Umpire School for 18 years, where he held positions as the administrative director and chief of instruction. His responsibilities included staff management, coordination of curriculum, and daily classroom lectures. He umpired professionally for 13 years following his graduation from The Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires in 2000.

Robinson is a longtime high school math teacher, basketball coach, college football official and referee, and college replay official. He is currently a replay official in the Replay Operations Center (ROC) of Big 12 Football Operations after 13 years as stadium replay official in the Mountain West and Big 12 Conferences. He served as the replay official for the 2017 National Championship, Alabama/Clemson.

Pati Rolf serves as USA Volleyball’s director of officials. She was a women’s referee for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games gold-medal match as well the 2016 NCAA Division I Women’s National Championship. Pati has been a FIVB international official since 2003 and a PAVO/NCAA National Official. She referees at every level of the game from FIVB World Championship events to the youngest of ages. Pati also served as the chair of the USA Rules Commission. She is 31 years married with two grown children, both English teachers — in Milwaukee and South Korea.

Mario Seneca has extensive experience with the labor-law issues, related to employee vs. independent-contractor status of sports officials.  A former Minor League Umpire for nine seasons, with four years as vice president of the Association of Minor League Umpires (AMLU), he currently officiates D-I NCAA Football in the Mountain West Conference and for the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) in four sports (baseball, basketball, football, and boys’ lacrosse).  Through his former position with the OPEIU (Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO), Mario was directly involved in the legal dispute between the PIAA and the National Labor Relations Board, as OPEIU’s organizer and representative. He is also a named-plaintiff in a minimum-wage case against the PIAA.  He is currently a deputy law clerk for the Hon. Debrah A. Kunselman, Judge of Pennsylvania’s statewide, appellate court.

Serafini is a retired FIFA, men’s/women’s professional, and collegiate soccer referee, whose officiating brought her to multiple NCAA Final Fours and international events across North America, Europe, and Asia. She currently serves with the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) as the Director of Strategic Initiatives & Innovation. She is a National Referee-Coach for USSF and Elite Assessor for CONCACAF, and served as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) in 2017. She also continues to serve within the Duke University Medical Center’s Department of Neurosurgery as an Adjunct Assistant Professor.

Washington Officials Association (WOA) executive director; Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) production coordinator (1999 -2000); became officials’ coordinator in 2000; commissioner of WOA when it became independent of the WIAA in 2002; former high school basketball coach and basketball official (2001-08); certified athletic administrator; NASO board member.

In her position, Strawther designs and leads programs for individuals and organizations, provides guidance to teams on leadership challenges, and coaches individuals. As a speaker, she has presented to organizations such as the Boeing Company, the U.S. Army, the International Leadership Association, and numerous companies in the Pacific Northwest. Working closely with the Royal Dutch Football Association, she oversaw training and certifications for KYFA’s (Kisumu, Kenya Youth Football Association) 50+ referees and 150+ coaches.

A football official in the Pac-12 since 2011, Strimling also serves as the AAF coordinator of football officials. He began officiating in 1978, worked in the WAC 2006-2010, and Arena Football from 2001-2012.

Chief operating officer and executive editor at Referee Magazine; has worked for Referee and NASO since 1990; former high school and small college football and basketball official; former major college baseball umpire. Multiple state tournament and postseason collegiate assignments. Former high school conference commissioner and assigner. He is also a member of the Officiating Development Alliance.

Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) president; USA Volleyball and PAVO national referee; NASO board member.

MHSAA (Michigan) Executive Director; former MHSAA Assistant Director responsible for officials program (2004-2018); NCAA D-I baseball umpire; umpired the 2014 and 2017 NCAA College World Series and the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil; former NASO chair (2015) and board member (2011-15). Current ODA member.

Sandra Walter joined the Indiana High School Athletic Association in June 2012 as an assistant commissioner, and administers the sports of boys and girls soccer, girls basketball and gymnastics. She also serves as the director of officials for the state office. Sandra spent 12 years at Lawrence Central High School in athletic administration. She is an active member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA; President 2006-07).

Weaver was named to the USA Rugby National Panel in 2011, the Elite Panel in 2014, and the Pro Panel in 2016. He became a World Rugby referee in 2015, receiving multiple appointments to the Africa Cup, Americas Rugby Championship, World Rugby Under 20 Trophy, and World Rugby Nations Cup 2017, in addition to assistant referee appointments. He was one of the first contracted referees for the inaugural Pro Rugby season – the first professional rugby union competition in the United States. Kurt is currently the vice president for Rugby Operations with USA Rugby, leading the rugby development and community rugby programs for the national governing body.

Chair of the NASO Board, and coordinator of women’s basketball officials for the American Athletic, Atlantic 10, Big East, Metro Atlantic Athletic conferences; former NCAA national coordinator of women’s basketball officiating; former NCAAW basketball secretary-rules editor; former collegiate basketball coach, administrator, instructor, official and student-athlete; doctorate of education from the University of Houston in 2000.

Craig Wrolstad is entering his 17th season as a member of the National Football League. He worked for the local high school associations for 18 years, working a number of Washington State Championships in the 1990’s before moving to the small college level in both basketball and football. In 1999, Craig was hired by the Pac-10 as a Side Judge. He also worked in the Arena Football League and NFL-Europe before getting the call to work in the NFL. Craig worked as a Field Judge in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Craig was chosen as a Referee at the beginning of the 2013 season.

NFHS director of sports and officials education; former Indiana High School Athletic Association assistant commissioner; former high school administrator, teacher and coach; former basketball, swimming, track and field, and volleyball official of more than 20 years, officiated multiple state championships; named Indiana’s outstanding girls’ basketball official in 1983 by the IHSAA and the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association; Officiating Development Alliance member.

MLB umpire supervisor since 2009; former MLB umpire (1985-2008); worked the World Series in 1996 and 2003; umpired three AL championship series, six AL divisional playoff series and two All-Star games (1991, 2003); worked in the minor leagues from 1978-82; 2002 Gold Whistle Award recipient.

Russell is the vice president of instant replay for the National Football League. Before joining the league office in 2017, he worked seven seasons as an NFL replay official and replay assistant, and eleven years as a high school and college football official.