Promoting Commitment to Education, Professionalism, and Quality in Sports Officiating

News

  • Posted 2025-09-18 by

    BNOA Update

    BNOA Members,

    With the completion of the annual banquet, I assumed responsibility as President of the BNOA. I look forward to working with the our members and Board to continue the strong legacy of the BNOA, while also focusing on strategies to refresh and strengthen our commitment to professionalism in officiating through a focus on communication and training.

    Please join me in welcoming Daryl Stites (Treasurer) and Cameron Kurtz (Secretary) to our board. Daryl and Cameron have served our Association in various capacities previously and I’m excited for their contributions as we move forward. I’d also like to thank Justin Bowling and Terry Whalen, former President and Secretary, respectively, for their leadership to the BNOA.

    Chad Worthington has decided to step away from the VP Baseball position. We thank Chad for his service to the BNOA. Tim Griffin has volunteered to serve in the VP Baseball position for the remainder of the current term until the sports VP elections occur in 2026. Tim is a veteran official and longtime member of the Association and will be a valuable resource for the Board and our baseball umpires. Justin Bowling will assist Tim with some of these responsibilities.

    The annual banquet was held in early August. Congratulations to our award winners – Jon Nelson (Rory Hodgson), Glenn Reinhart (Allan Russell), Mike Allen (George Bailey) and Mark Jontry (Kevin Mallehan Scholarship). BNOA Hall of Fame inductees were Mike Fitzgerald, Cal Hubbard and Lance Reece.

    More communications will follow outlining 2026 priorities for the Association. I’d love to hear your ideas and feedback, so please connect anytime.

    Kevin Maffett

Awards

  • Hall of Fame

    Past and current inductees into the BNOA Hall of Fame.

  • Rory Hodgson

    Presented in the memory of Rory Hodgson to the less experienced official who best exemplifies the ideals of sports officiating, and who has worked to gain experience and knowledge necessary to advance in his/her officiating career.

  • Allan Russell

    Presented in the memory of Allan Russell to the BNOA official who did the most in promoting the ideals of sports officiating, and the development of young officials.

  • George Bailey

    "Friends of the BNOA" - Award to individuals outside of officiating to be honored with the recognition they deserve for helping advance officiating, retain sports officials, and promote sports in general.

  • Kevin Mallehan

    The Kevin Mallehan Scholarship Was Started In 2013 By The BNOA Executive Board In Honor Of Lifelong BNOA Member & IHSA Umpire Kevin Mallehan. This Scholarship Will Be Awarded Each Year , With The Recipient Being Recognized At The Annual Hall Of Fame Banquet. The Recipient Of The Scholarship Shall Be An Official In Good Standing With The BNOA Or An Organization Recognized By The BNOA Executive Board . The Application Period Shall Run From August 1st Thru March 1st Each Calendar Year. All Applications And Monetary Awards Will Be Reviewed By The Present BNOA Board Of Directors.