BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League announced the hiring of Dwayne Gladden as Supervisor of Men’s Basketball Officials.
He will serve in the role and work with the Men’s Basketball Officiating Alliance which also includes the America East, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Atlantic 10 (A-10), Big East, Big South, Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), Ivy League, Metro-Atlantic Athletic Association (MAAC), Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Northeast Conference (NEC) and Northeast-10 Conference.
Gladden will assign officials for the Patriot League and work with League coaches and institutions to evaluate game performances during the season. He will provide guidance and communicate rules, changes and interpretations to coaches, student-athletes and administrators. Another aspect of Gladden’s role will involve working within the Alliance on the development and identification of officials.
“Dwayne has built an exceptional reputation during a long, successful career as an on-court official and is someone who is respected across the collegiate basketball landscape for his ability to develop and mentor officials,” Patriot League Commissioner Jennifer Heppel said. “His work ethic and communication skills will make him a valuable resource for our men’s basketball programs.”
Gladden served for 32 years officiating collegiate men’s basketball games. During his career at the NCAA Division I level, he served primarily as an ACC official from 1994-2023. He was also affiliated with the American Athletic Conference (AAC), ACC, A-10, Atlantic Sun, Big Ten, CAA, Ivy League, MAAC, MEAC, Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), NEC, Southern Conference and Patriot League.
Throughout his career, Gladden officiated 14 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournaments in addition to working the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), College Basketball Invitational (CBI) and CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) and more than a dozen conference tournaments. He served as a Past President of the MEAC Board of Officials Association while participating as a summer camp clinician, helping teach and train upcoming officials for more than 20 years.
“I would like to Thank Commissioner (Jennifer) Heppel and Senior Associate Commissioner (Rich) Wanninger for putting their trust in me,” Gladden said. “I am grateful and honored to be selected as the new Supervisor of Men’s Basketball Officials for the Patriot League. Our League is in a great place and my goal is to build on that momentum and continue the upward trajectory of our elite officiating program.”
Away from basketball, Gladden served in the United States Air Force as a Law Enforcement Military Working Dog Handler and also worked in Medical Administration. Gladden served in several management and supervisory roles for 22 years (1982-2004).
Gladden replaces Gary Prager, who retired as Supervisor of Men’s Basketball Officials at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season after four years of service.
TRANSACTION
Patriot League – Announced the hiring of Dwayne Gladden as Supervisor of Men’s Basketball Officials.
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes 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 who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.