BOSTON – The America East Conference announced today a pair of moves aimed at elevating its men’s basketball officiating program. Decorated official Michael Stephens, who has worked several Final Fours, has been hired as the conference’s new men’s basketball officiating coordinator as part of a transition to the Men’s Basketball Officiating Alliance.
“Joining the Men’s Basketball Officiating Alliance will align America East with several of the top conferences in the country and allow us to share resources with the majority of the leagues on the east coast that will improve all aspects of our officiating program, including assignments, the development and education of officials as well as improving technology and logistics that benefit our member institutions,” said America East Commissioner, Amy Huchthausen. “Having someone as experienced and respected within both the officiating and coaching communities as Mike (Stephens) to serve as our coordinator will be a great asset for our conference staff, coaches and membership as a whole.”
The Alliance, founded by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Big East Conference, is a collaboration of several conferences on the east coast. The Alliance provides collaborative management of its officials through consistent development and training practices. Its mission is to increase proficiency and consistency among veteran officials across the collegiate basketball officiating landscape and to recruit and integrate new referees into the officiating profession.
America East joins several peer Division I conferences in the Alliance, including the Atlantic 10 Conference, Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), Big South Conference, Ivy League, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Patriot League, Northeast Conference and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
Stephens takes over as America East’s Coordinator of Officials after an illustrious two-decade career as a game official. Stephens, who got his start as an America East official in 2000, officiated games in several conferences, including America East, ACC, Big East, Big XII, SEC and others. In 2011, Stephens earned a selection to officiate in the Final Four for the first time and between 2011-2019 officiated in every Final Four except two, including four national championship games. He will also serve as the Coordinator of Officials for the MAAC as well as continue his role as the coordinator for the Division II Northeast-10 Conference. Outside of his work in officiating, Stephens is the Director of Recreation for the city of Providence.
“I am excited for this opportunity to serve as the officiating coordinator for America East, where I got my start as an official,” said Stephens. “Together, we will build a diverse roster that elevates the conference’s officiating program and I look forward to this new challenge.”
The America East is a premier NCAA Division I athletic conference whose mission centers around its commitment to building the complete student-athlete through its #3Pillars: Academic Achievement, Athletic Excellence and Leadership, On and Off the Field. The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field. One of the most comprehensive Division I conferences in the country and progressive in its approach to its more than 3,400 student-athletes, America East recognizes champions in each of its 18 sponsored sports and consists of 10 member institutions located in the northeast region. Learn more at https://americaeast.com.
- #3Pillars – Building the Complete Student-Athlete -