Missouri Valley
MVC Joins Men’s Basketball Officiating Consortium
(St. Louis, MO) – The Missouri Valley Conference has announced that it will align its men’s basketball officiating program with conferences that currently comprise one of seven Division I regional officiating consortiums. The Valley will join Conference USA, the Big 12, Ohio Valley and Southland conferences in the Men’s Basketball Officiating Consortium beginning with the 2016-17 season.
“This represents a very progressive step for the Missouri Valley, and we are very appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate with the consortium’s basketball leadership to strengthen our officiating,” said MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin.
The Missouri Valley has previously operated its officiating program independently, most recently under the direction of Eddie Jackson, who has been the league’s coordinator of men’s basketball officials since 2009. Jackson, a former college basketball official, will continue his involvement with the MVC under the direction of Curtis Shaw, the consortium’s coordinator of basketball officials.
“We believe that one of the benefits of the consortium model is an overall reduction in travel for game officials, and adding the MVC’s basketball programs to those already in our group will provide the opportunity for greater efficiency in officiating assignments,” said Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod.
“We enthusiastically welcome the Missouri Valley to the MBOC,” said Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett. “The MVC’s longstanding basketball success is a great asset for the other MBOC leagues, and having them as a partner aids in the quality of officiating through uniform training and greater consistency of rules interpretation and enforcement.”
“Having another quality basketball league in our consortium provides greater leverage in attracting and developing game officials,” said Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Beth DeBauche. “The fact that the MVC fits so well into our footprint is advantageous.”
“We are excited to welcome the Missouri Valley to the officiating consortium directed by Curtis Shaw,” noted Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “Having additional officials available in our region will increase the quality depth while continuing to build on the strong group of officials working games in our leagues.”
Editor: This is a press release from the Missouri Valley Conference.