D2CCA, D2ADA Team Up to Address the Officiating Crisis
D2CCA/D2ADA
CLEVELAND – The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) and Division II Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) have teamed up to create the "Collegiate P2R" program to address the officiating crisis facing amateur athletics in the United States of America. The two associations are affiliates of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and represent 310 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II member institutions.
Collegiate P2R, or "Player-to-Ref" program, will target student-athletes who have concluded their college playing careers to educate them on the benefits and advantages of becoming an official. Implementation of the program will begin in the fall of 2019. Division II conference offices, in conjunction with their member institutions, will work with local officials to visit campuses and speak with student-athletes and other interested students on the pathway to become an official along with the rewards and challenges.
"D2 CCA is taking an active approach to the officiating crisis," noted current D2 CCA President Erin Lind, commissioner of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "We are providing a strategic approach to grow the pool of qualified persons interested in getting involved with officiating. This is a fantastic way for Division II student-athletes to stay in the game and give back to the game when their competing days are over."
In 2017, the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) conducted a ground-breaking industry survey that revealed the average age of officials has risen over 25 years in the past four decades and fewer younger individuals are considering the avocation. Within the NASO survey it was revealed that over half of all officials got into the industry because somebody spoke with and encouraged them to consider officiating. The Collegiate P2R program will initiate that outreach and communication. The program will also attempt to track student-athletes as they enter into officiating for support, as retention has also been an area of concern according to NASO.
"The D2 ADA Board of Directors understands that there is an officiating crisis and something must be done for the future of intercollegiate athletics," said current D2 ADA President Chris Ratcliff, director of athletics at Rogers State University. "The D2 ADA and D2 CCA leadership is committed to finding a solution before it is too late. Collegiate P2R is the first step in this process. D2 ADA is excited to see this program start and we look forward to assisting in the process of identifying and supporting young officials."
The mission of the D2 CCA is to encourage and promote Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics. The CCA works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities and serves as a voice to the NCAA representing those schools.
The purpose of the D2 ADA is to empower its membership in their roles as directors of athletics. It provides a collective voice for Division II athletics directors, a forum to discuss issues that impact their role, a recognized relationship with other athletics director associations and NCAA leadership groups and helpful information to the Division II athletics directors including surveys, newsletters and meetings.
About D2 ADA: The D2 ADA is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities; enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics; and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of Division II athletics directors. For more information about the D2 ADA, please visit www.div2ada.com. The D2 ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 55th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
About D2 CCA: Initiated in 1992 to promote its member conferences and institutions, D2 CCA has made its mark in providing a united front for NCAA Division II athletics. Created after the break-up of the College Division Commissioners Association, the D2 CCA continues to create lines of communication and opportunities for its member conferences. The D2 CCA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 55th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.