BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League’s named Michael Schmidt as their Supervisor of Women’s Basketball Officials when the League office announced on Monday.
In his new role, Schmidt will recruit, assign and evaluate officials for the Patriot League and work with League coaches and institutions to evaluate game performances during the season and communicate rules changes and interpretations. He will also be tasked with coordinating educational opportunities for officials and coaches on the intricacies of collegiate officiating.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Patriot League and its basketball programs. We share a commitment to excellence and look forward to our collaborative work ahead,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt arrives at the Patriot League as the coordinator of women’s basketball officials for the America East Conference since 2016. At the Conference, Schmidt recruits, hires, assigns, and retains women’s basketball officials while creating and implementing professional development. He also works as the coordinator for the Northeastern Women’s Basketball Officiating Consortium beginning in 2012.
“Michael brings experience and an excellent reputation through his time as a women’s basketball officials coordinator,” Patriot League Commissioner Jennifer Heppel said. “He comes highly recommended and brings a background that will make him an outstanding leader and resource for our programs, coaches and student-athletes.”
Schmidt co-founded The Referee Academy – a professional developmental program for referees – in 2012. The program consists of educational modules to help referees from various sports improve on and off the playing surface.
Schmidt recently retired as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Rochester City School District. In his 11-year tenure, he supervised the facilities, transportation, food service, information and technology, and district security management teams. He has worked in various capacities within the Rochester City School District since 2012, with nearly 35 years of overall education-related experience.
Schmidt earned his BA in communications studies and history in 1988 from SUNY Oswego before receiving his master’s degree in secondary education and social studies from Syracuse University in 1989 and a Certificate of Advanced Studies from SUNY Cortland in 1998.
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athlete can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.