Bobby Dibler, NCAA Division I men’s basketball officiating coordinator for multiple conferences, has been selected by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) as the 2022 recipient of the Inspire Award. The award will be presented in Denver, Colo., on Tuesday, Aug. 2, during the Celebrate Officiating Gala, sponsored by Fox 40 International. The Gala caps the 2022 Sports Officiating Summit.
Dibler is the coordinator of men’s basketball officials for the Western Officiating Consortium, which includes the Big Sky, Big West, Mountain West, Pac-12, Western Athletic and West Coast conferences. He officiated Division I men’s basketball from 1973-93, working 14 NCAA tournaments and three Final Fours, including two championship games. He was the 2019 recipient of the Naismith Men’s College Official of the Year Award.
Integrity, professionalism and inner strength are hallmarks of Dibler’s career on and off the court. His courage in the wake of great personal tragedy inspires others to this day.
“I have known Bobby for decades. He was one fine college basketball referee,” said Barry Mano, NASO president. “His life was tragically interrupted with the murder of his daughter and wife in 2000. Most of us would have folded up in our grief. Bobby did not. From those ashes he regained his strength and went on to become one of the most respected college basketball officiating coordinators anywhere. If you are an official, working assignments for Bobby Dibler is a mark of distinction. To this day he serves as an inspiration — what strength of character and grit can enable in each of us.”
“I was more than surprised to hear Barry Mano tell me I had been named the recipient of the Inspire Award,” Dibler said. “I was in disbelief, wondering what I had done to receive this prestigious award. I’m just Bobby Dibler, living my life and treating everyone with kindness and respect. Still in awe.”
The Inspire Award was created as a means of recognizing individuals or groups that instill pride or spark positive emotions to those in the officiating industry.
The NASO Inspire Award is presented to those, who by their actions, bring about inspiration, pride and a confirmation of the values cherished by the officiating community. Candidates can be those who are exemplary in their roles of training, educating and supporting sports officials. Candidates can also be those who, while not from within the officiating community, confirm the values of the highest ethical standard, integrity, fairness and impartiality.
Fox 40 International is the premier producer of officiating whistles. The complete line of Fox 40 products includes whistles for all uses, whistle attachments, Fox 40 gear, pro coaching boards, mouthguards and marine & outdoor products. Fox 40 continues to invest in new technology, designs and machinery, resulting in many new products being launched each year. Fox 40 has sponsored the Celebrate Officiating Gala and the Gold Whistle Award for more than two decades.
