National Officials’ Group Elects New Board

(RACINE, Wis.) — The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) today announced the election of three new members and the re-election of one member to its board of directors.

Jim Host (Lexington, Ky.), Marc Ratner (Las Vegas) and Esse Baharmast (Golden, Colo.) were each elected to a two-year term beginning June 25. Current member Randy Christal (Austin, Tex.) was re-elected for a second term.

The three new members replace Gary Whelchel (Gilbert, Ariz.), John Clougherty (Raleigh, N.C.) and Carter Rankin (Hayward, Calif.). Each has served on the NASO board for two consecutive two-year terms and is not eligible to seek another term.

Host is Chief Executive Officer of Host Communications, one of the nation’s leading sports marketing and affinity management companies. Host is personally credited with implementing the first collegiate sports marketing program with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1985. Active in civic and charitable activities, Host has chaired more than 40 organizations and boards.

Ratner is the executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which regulates boxing, kick-boxing and wrestling. He is also commissioner of the Southern District of Nevada for high school athletics. An active Division I football official and small college basketball official, Ratner is a longtime member of NASO. He has appeared as a presenter at several NASO conferences and will participate in the 2002 conference June 22-24 in Albuquerque.

Baharmast has been characterized as one of the most accomplished sports officials on the planet, regardless of the sport. An investment banker fluent in four languages and "soccer field fluent" in two others, Baharmast has "been there and done it" in the officiating world. Currently the United States Soccer Federation’s (USSF) Director of Advanced and International Referee Development, Baharmast is also liaison to CONCACAF and FIFA and a former USSF Director of Officials. He worked the World Cup in 1997 qualifying match and two matches during the 1998 World Cup. He worked the 1998 Major League

Soccer all-star game, CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1996 and 1998, the U.S. Cup in 1997 and the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Re-elected for a second term was Christal, an accomplished NCAA Division I football referee and baseball umpire. He is a self-employed management consultant. Christal’s officiating resume is quite impressive, including umpiring eight Division I College World Series, more than 20 NCAA regionals, the 1984 Olympics and the 1987 Intercontinental Cup and World Championships. His football officiating credentials are just as impressive with numerous bowl games, including the 1997 national championship game and the 1996 Rose Bowl.

The NASO board consists of 11 members. NASO is a voluntary membership, not-for-profit, educational association working to improve the skills and conditions for sports officials at all levels. Membership is worldwide and includes officials in virtually every sport and at all levels from youth leagues to the professional ranks.

NOTE: Photos are available upon request.