CLEVELAND -- The Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) has announced the inaugural recipients of the 2024 Excellence in Officiating Awards. The Excellence in Officiating Awards represent a pioneering effort to recognize outstanding referees across NCAA Division II.

The awards will be presented to one male and one female official in each NCAA Division II Championship Regions. Awards are presented by the gender of the official regardless of the sport officiated.  

Conference offices solicited nominations from the conference supervisor of officials and selected one male and one female to submit for the regional award. Upon receipt of all nominees, voting was conducted by the commissioners within each of the following regions – Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, Southeast, South Central and West – to select the following regional winners.

In addition to this new initiative, the D2 CCA created the following strategic programs aimed at transforming the landscape of sports officiating and address current challenges by creating recognition and recruitment opportunities.

• Officials Appreciation Week acknowledges officials across all sports seasons – fall, winter and spring – highlighting their critical role in maintaining integrity and fair competition.
• Collegiate P2R (Player-to-Ref) Program targets recently graduated student-athletes, helping educate potential officials about the rewarding opportunities in sports officiating, creating a sustainable pipeline of qualified professionals.

These efforts reflect the deep commitment the D2 CCA has homed in on to elevate the status of sports officials, by creating structured recognition and celebrating those who ensure fair play and maintain the highest level of standards for athletics competitions.

The list below honors those officials that are making significant contributions to the advancement of officiating in Division II. 

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 60th year. For more information on NACDA and the 18 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.