The 44th annual Sports Officiating Summit traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich., July 26-28. The three-day event presented by NASO and its partners at the NFHS and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) included active officials, officiating administrators and special guests who focused on topics of leadership at all levels and in all sports. Speakers, presenters, attendees and sponsors focused on the Summit’s theme of “Voice + Vision: Make the Case, Manage the Message.”
Star-studded panel sessions, deep-dive breakout workshops, thoughtful strategic meetings and celebratory meal events filled the three-day stretch, which was attended by close to 500 individuals from around the world.
“NASO was excited to bring the sports officiating industry event of the year back to Grand Rapids,” said NASO President Bill Topp. “After the pandemic-cancelled Summits of 2020 and 2021, when we were originally scheduled to be in Michigan, it meant a great deal to finally see the planning and preparation finally executed. We worked side by side with the MHSAA and NFHS to put on this remarkable event and it makes us all proud of the work we do.”
The Summit previously had been held in Grand Rapids in 2013.
Grand Opening Celebrates the Officiating Community
The Sunday evening Grand Opening session and social event had a local flavor and a celebratory feel of getting many old friends and colleagues back together. Officiating legend Joan Powell served as MC, and NASO Board Chair Ron Torbert and NASO President Bill Topp welcomed attendees and thanked sponsors and exhibitors for their support.
The Grand Opening also featured a touching tribute to late NASO and Referee Magazine founder Barry Mano, who passed away after a short illness earlier this year. Longtime friends from the officiating community paid tribute to Mano from the stage, including Ed Rush, Debbie Williamson, Lisa Jones, Joey Crawford, Ron Foxcroft, Mike Pereira and Jack Roberts.
Additionally, Referee Enterprises, Inc., the publisher of Referee Magazine, was awarded the 2026 Mel Narol Medallion Award for its service to NASO. Nearly two-thirds of REI’s staff was on hand to take the stage and accept the award.
After the Opening, attendees retreated to the Opening Reception, sponsored by the College Football Hall of Fame, where attendees were able to celebrate Referee Magazine’s 50 years of publishing with food stations, drinks and fellowship throughout the evening.
Special Sessions Kick Off the Summit
Prior to the official Grand Opening, attendees and guests were treated to special sessions like the MHSAA Leadership Forum, where FOX Sports analyst Mike Pereira discussed the Battlefields to Ballfields sports officiating recruitment initiative, and NBA legends Ed Rush and Joey Crawford reminisced on several controversial events during their days officiating in the pro league.
Online training expert Tim Kiefer hosted a live online high school football clinic in partnership with NASO from the Summit, while Little League Baseball hosted a closed-door Umpire Committee meeting in conjunction with the Summit.
July 27 Programming
The first full day of programming, July 27, kicked off with “The Game Depends on Us,” a theme-focused address from Shawn Smith, NFL official and referee for Super Bowl LX.
The program continued with a panel session of various high school, college and professional administrators and coordinators sharing thoughts on how to “Master the Message” by taking control of the narrative surrounding officiating rather than allowing outside voices to define it.
An additional highlight of the day was former NBA official Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling’s presentation, “Smarter Minds, Stronger Officials,” focusing on her RefWell framework — moving beyond traditional mental toughness techniques to integrate nervous system regulation, practical performance tools and crew connection.
The first day of programming also featured the “state of the union”-type addresses from NFHS Executive Director Davis Whitfield and NASO President Bill Topp during the Officiating Industry Luncheon, where attendees also learned about the new Officials Federal Credit Union, launching soon.
Popular sports officiating podcast “From A to Zebra” also presented a live episode from the Summit main stage.
July 28 Programming
On July 28, the program opened with “Your Voice, Your Impact,” a panel discussion of leaders from various sports and levels discussing how using your voice is more than about speaking up; it’s about being heard.
NCAA baseball umpire and leadership expert Billy Van Raaphorst then took attendees through his “Power of Prioritization,” a high-energy session on refocusing your objectives and prioritizing your most crucial goals.
The Summit’s second day of programming also featured something completely different — “Family Feud: Officials Edition,” a sometimes chaotic, always entertaining take on the classic game show, featuring host Billy Kennedy, an NBA official, and four teams of sports officiating leaders, administrators and working refs, all vying to win the Feud!
Afternoon Tracks and Referee Voices
Next, Summit attendees were able to choose afternoon “Tracks” where they could stay for the entire two-hour block or move from topic to topic. Tracks included Women in Officiating, Assigner Do’s and Don’ts, Risk Management, and the Power of Professionalism. Additionally, special tracks were available by invitation only for State Association Leaders and National Governing Body Leaders.
The program was capped with Summit favorite, “Referee Voices,” where attendees heard personal stories from NCAA basketball official Lisa Jones, NHL referee Wes McCauley and NFL official Dino Paganelli.
Celebrate Officiating Gala
The Summit was capped with the Celebrate Officiating Gala sponsored by Fox 40. The dinner event recognized the 2026 NASO Inspire Award winners — the family of the late John Bieniewicz, a soccer referee killed by a player after a match in Michigan in 2014 — and the 2026 Gold Whistle Award, officiating’s highest honor, presented to Rich Fetchiet, legendary NCAA baseball umpire and administrator.
Exhibit Hall and NASO Board Business
In between all of that, the event also featured a full exhibit hall with 25 vendors from officiating charities, companies and organizations showcasing the latest efforts, products and services in the community.
The NASO Board of Directors also met, welcoming new board members Vince Kristosik, president of the Southern Nevada Officials Association, and Will Prewitt, commissioner of the NCAA Division II Great American Conference, while wishing a fond farewell to outgoing board member Rob Wigod, the former commissioner of the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section.
