North Carolina State University Athletics
ACC and SEC announce formation of Regional Officiating Program
9/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
John Guthrie, who previously coordinated men's basketball officiating in the SEC, will head up the program which will be based in Atlanta, Ga. The program will be responsible for assigning game officials for the ACC and SEC throughout the regular season and each league's post-season tournament. ACC Associate Commissioner Fred Barakat, who previously coordinated men's basketball officiating in the ACC, will serve as a liaison and assist in the establishment of the program.
"This is a major step in realizing a goal of ours which is the regionalization of men's basketball officiating," said Swofford. "I'm pleased that the ACC and SEC have been able to join forces in this regard. Regionalization is a concept that we believe will enhance the game at both the conference and national level. The formation of this program will provide a much larger pool of quality officials for both leagues. John Guthrie is a proven commodity and a highly respected individual in college basketball officiating."
"I believe that the opportunity for both conferences to have greater access to experienced and capable officials will significantly improve the officiating of the game," said Kramer. "This is an experimental concept that will be fully evaluated at the conclusion of the basketball season."
Guthrie graduated from Oglethorpe University and later earned his Masters from Middle Tennessee State University. He has been responsible for the handling of SEC basketball officials since he joined the Conference office in 1981. A member of the Oglethorpe University Hall of Fame, Guthrie was an assistant basketball coach at the University of Georgia from 1962 to 1973 and was the Bulldogs' head coach from 1974 to 1978.
