For Release February 19, 2015Patty Viverito To Receive Medallion Award
"I would characterize this as an upset victory of a pretty large magnitude," said a humbled Viverito in jest. "I wonder how many folks who have never officiated, never aspired to officiate and continue to never aspire to officiate get awards from the NASO? I like to think that it puts me in a special place because I've managed to love officials without ever having officiated. It's nice to be honored. It speaks to the open-mindedness of the organization, which is why I have loved being a part of it." Viverito was named the Missouri Valley football's first commissioner in September of 1982 and continues in that role. The conference was then known as the Gateway Conference. The league, which sponsored nine women's sports and FCS football, saw its women's programs merge with their MVC men's counterparts in 1992. Viverito's responsibilities include strategic planning, monitoring national matters and management of championships and compliance, serving as the primary coaches liaison for most sports. She served as the tournament director of the 2001 and 2009 NCAA Women's Final Four. Viverito served on NASO's Board of Directors from 1995-99 and from 2007-11, a rare two-time appointment. Viverito currently serves on the Collegiate Women's Sports Awards Executive Committee, which is responsible for selecting the Honda Cup winner annually. In 1996, she was recognized for her contributions to collegiate athletics, when she was selected as the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators Administrator of the Year. In addition, she received Professional Service Achievement Alumni Awards from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Northern Illinois University. "The Mel Narol Medallion Award is given to someone who has, in an extraordinary way, supported NASO and the mission it has undertaken," said Barry Mano, NASO president and founder. "Patty Viverito was an easy choice. Patty served four two-year terms on the NASO board and serves on the association's Strategic Development Committee to this day. But well beyond that service, Patty has served us as a deeply thoughtful policy visionary." A nationally respected administrator, Viverito has served on the prestigious NCAA Executive Committee, the NCAA Council, the Division I Women's Basketball Committee and was chair of the NCAA Committee for Women's Athletics and Olympic Sports Liaison Committee. Viverito has also served as a member of the CCA Executive Committee and Chair of the FCS Subcommittee of CCA, the NCAA Recruiting Task Force, the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball and Issues Committees, the NACWAA Board (two terms), the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Board, the NACDA Board, multiple terms on NCAA Basketball Officiating Improvement Committees, the NCAA Football Academic Working Group, and the NCAA Work/Life Balance Task Force. She has an extensive background in athletic marketing and administration, formerly serving as an account executive for the Tidewater Tides minor league baseball team and as special project director at the University of Texas at Austin from 1979 to 1981. At UT, she coordinated activities for the women's athletic program in the areas of promotion, sports information, fundraising and event management. She also serves on the board of the St. Louis-based nonprofit social circus, Circus Harmony. "Her frame of reference as a college-conference commissioner continues to provide us with guidance about the intersection of officiating and sports governance," said Mano. "When you are in a meeting with Patty you had best come prepared and with your thinking organized and in focus. Her ability to raise the bar like that continues to be invaluable to this association." 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 The National Association of Sports Officials is the world's largest organization for sports officials at every level and all sports. More than 21,000 sports officials from around the world belong to NASO, enjoying member benefits and supporting an organization that advocates for sports officials and that helps them maintain the highest level of officiating skills. Referee is a magazine written from an officiating perspective since 1976. Referee is the journal of record for officiating and takes informed positions on selected issues.
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RACINE, Wis. — Patty Viverito, senior associate commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and former NASO board member, has been named as the recipient of the 2015 Mel Narol Medallion. Viverito will be honored during NASO's Celebrate Officiating Gala July 28 in St. Louis.
