June 22, 2000

Christal Elected to National Sports Officials’ Board
(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) — Randy Christal, Austin, Tex., was elected to a two-year term on the board of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) at the semi-annual meeting of the organization’s board of directors today.

His peers recognize Christal as one of the nation’s top NCAA Division I baseball umpires and football referees. Christal began officiating baseball in 1968 and reached the Division I level by 1975. He has worked 23 consecutive NCAA Division I regionals and eight College World Series (1978-79, 1982-83, 1986-87, 1990, 1996), including the plate for the ’87 title game. Other noteworthy umpiring assignments have included working the 1984 Olympics (Los Angeles) and the Intercontinental Cup (Havana) and World Championships (Italy), both in 1987.

Christal’s football career is just as noteworthy. He began officiating football in 1970 and began working the Division I ranks in 1991 for the now-disbanded Southwest Conference. Currently he works the referee position in the Big 12 and has refereed some highly visible games. The past five seasons has seen Christal referee the 1996 Rose Bowl, 1997 national title game (Sugar Bowl — Florida versus Florida State), 1998 Las Vegas Bowl, 1999 Big 12 championship (Kansas State versus Texas A&M) and the 2000 Outback Bowl.

Christal has been an influential instructor for many officials as well. He and longtime associate Jon Bible conduct a popular baseball umpiring camp each year in Texas.

"Randy brings to the board extensive training experience and organizational skills," said NASO chair Julie Ilacqua. "We are excited that he is now part of the NASO team."

When not officiating, Christal is a staff development specialist for the State of Texas comptroller’s office.

NASO is a voluntary membership, not-for-profit, educational association working to improve the skills and conditions for sports officials of all levels. Membership is worldwide and includes officials in virtually every sport and at all levels from youth leagues to the professional ranks.

The organization is headquartered in Racine, Wis.