For Release February 27, 2014CBOA to Receive Mel Narol Medallion RACINE, Wis. — The National Association of Sports Officials has named the California Basketball Officials Association (CBOA) as the recipient of the 2014 Mel Narol Medallion. "The Mel Narol Medallion Award recognizes significant and lasting support of NASO and its work," said NASO President Barry Mano. "CBOA, its leadership team and importantly its dues-paying members, have done just that." "It's a great recognition," CBOA President Matt Bennett said. "We don't seek (awards). We just try to do the best job possible. It's a delightful surprise and it's nice for us to be recognized by an organization like NASO." In 2006, the CBOA partnered with NASO and Referee magazine to enhance the CBOA members' benefit package with the finest educational materials, insurance and support in the nation. The ground-breaking partnership ensures that each CBOA member and each CBOA unit receives a top-of-the-line magazine, customized books, newsletters, training materials and professional services from the nation's leaders in the field. In 2010, the partnership successfully completed its first five-year agreement and was renewed for another five years commencing with the 2011-12 season. Two affiliate units have been added in Wisconsin and membership has grown by almost 20 percent during the tenure of the partnership. At present, almost 4,000 CBOA members are also NASO members. That number accounts for roughly 20 percent of the current NASO membership. CBOA opened the door to other group signups that have not only bolstered the NASO membership rolls but improved training and education for hundreds of other officials in the state of California and beyond. CBOA was established in Los Angeles in 1918, and was originally known as the Southern California Basketball Officials Association. It has grown and changed over the years, adding units throughout the state as well as Nevada and Hawaii. The name was changed to CBOA in 1987. Bennett said that since CBOA's reach is so widespread, and that it has no office or other permanent place to display the Medallion, the association plans to leave the award in the care of the president. "Other organizations pass the gavel from president to president," he said. "When I hand over the reins to Eugene Hernandez in 2015, I'm going to hand him the Medallion. That will be the passing of the torch, so to speak." "The CBOA is a story of enlightenment," Mano said. "Fresh leaders, new focus and renewed energy within the ranks enabled CBOA to begin building membership and service to those members. NASO has been a part of that rebirth and renewal from its inception. We are proud to be a supporting partner to CBOA." The Medallion recognizes an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to NASO and, thus, supporting the betterment of sports officials and the officiating profession. The Medallion Award is named after Mel Narol, longtime officiating legal advocate and NASO leader. Narol received the award posthumously in 2003 and the award was then renamed to honor him.
Contact: Bill Topp 262-632-5448 | 262-632-5460 (fax) | NASO.ORG |
