Kelley Named to NASO Board

The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) named Dale Kelley, coordinator of NCAA men’s basketball officials for five conferences, to its board of directors. Kelley, 68, currently assigns officials for the Big 12, Sun Belt, Southland and Ohio Valley conferences as well as Conference USA.

“I’m really happy to be asked to serve on the board for NASO,” Kelley said. “It’s been an organization that I’ve been supportive of for a long time. I think the organization does a great job for sports.”

Kelley, a former NCAA Division I men’s basketball official, refereed 14 years in the Southeastern Conference, officiating nine consecutive NCAA tournaments from 1977-85 and two NCAA Final Fours. He began assigning officials in the mid-1980s, shortly after he retired from officiating. In addition, for the past 16 years he has served as the mayor of Huntingdon, Tenn.

“I’ve had a long history in athletics, and particularly in basketball, and have been on almost every side in basketball, from being an official to the administrative side,” Kelley said. “Hopefully the knowledge that I’ve gained over the years will be of some benefit to the board. I look forward to working with the board for the betterment of all of our sports, and particularly basketball.”

Kelley replaces Jerry McGee, president of Wingate University and football official in the Atlantic Coast Conference, whose term ends this summer. The board also approved the following officers for 2008-09: Jack Bissell, a retired U.S. District Court judge and longtime hockey official, is the NASO chair (incumbent); NBA referee Violet Palmer will serve as vice-chair (incumbent); Tom Robinson, Colorado High School Activities Association assistant commissioner, was elected secretary; and NFL referee Bill Carollo will serve as treasurer (incumbent).

“The choice of Dale Kelley to serve on the NASO board was an easy one to make,” said NASO President Barry Mano. “I believe the fact that the board itself unanimously elected Dale to a seat is indicative of the quality and experience he brings to the table. … We are honored that he has become part of our board. NASO has much to do, is being asked to do much on behalf of officials and Dale Kelley will most assuredly help the association fulfill its mission.”

NASO is the world’s largest organization for sports officials at every level and all sports. With more than 16,000 members, NASO’s mission is to serve as the leading source of officiating information, programs and services.

For more information about NASO and its services, visit www.naso.org.

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