Matt Mason (left) and Lezley Smith, a pair of longtime GNAC basketball officials, were recognized with the inaugural D2 CCA Excellence in Officiating award.
Matt Mason (left) and Lezley Smith, a pair of longtime GNAC basketball officials, were recognized with the inaugural D2 CCA Excellence in Officiating award.

GNAC officials Lezley Smith, Matt Mason earn D2 CCA excellence award

12/3/2024 8:35:49 AM

By: Evan O'Kelly, Associate Commissioner for Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. – Representing the NCAA Division II west region with the D2 CCA Excellence in Officiating award for 2024, Great Northwest Athletic Conference basketball officials Matt Mason and Lezley Smith were among the inaugural recipients.
 
Smith has served as a longtime GNAC basketball official and has been assigned to numerous GNAC Championships events. “It has been my pleasure to know Lezley for more than 20 years,” said GNAC women’s basketball supervisor of officials Julie Mitchell. “I have had the opportunity over the years to watch Lezley’s growth as a leader and mentor to officials of all levels in the Pacific Northwest. I am extremely fortunate to have her as a member of the GNAC women’s basketball officiating staff. Congratulations to Lezley on this well-deserved honor.”
 
Mason, another veteran among the GNAC’s officiating corps, carries a resume that extends more than 30 years and also includes numerous conference championship tournaments. “Matt has been officiating for 30 years and has worked in the GNAC in the most recent years,” said GNAC men’s basketball supervisor of officials Mark Cook. “He has worked 13 GNAC conference tournaments including two finals, as well as five NCAA regional assignments. Matt has been a true leader in the Northwest, and for years has organized and led a mentor program for officials.”
 
The Excellence in Officiating awards represent a pioneering effort to recognize outstanding referees across NCAA Division II. The awards were presented to one male and one female official in each NCAA Division II championship region. Awards were presented by the gender of the official regardless of the sport officiated.
 
Conference offices solicited nominations from the conference supervisor of officials and selected one male and one female to submit for the regional award. Upon receipt of all nominees, voting was conducted by the commissioners within each of the following regions – Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, Southeast, South Central and West – to select the regional winners.
 
In addition to this new initiative, the D2 CCA created the following strategic programs aimed at transforming the landscape of sports officiating and addressing current challenges by creating recognition and recruitment opportunities.
 
  • Officials Appreciation Week acknowledges officials across all sports seasons – fall, winter and spring – highlighting their critical role in maintaining integrity and fair competition.
 
  • Collegiate P2R (Player-to-Ref) program targets recently graduated student-athletes, helping educate potential officials about the rewarding opportunities in sports officiating, creating a sustainable pipeline of qualified professionals.
 
About D2 CCA: Initiated in 1992 to promote its member conferences and institutions, D2 CCA has made its mark in providing a united front for NCAA Division II athletics. Created after the break-up of the College Division Commissioners Association, the D2 CCA continues to create lines of communication and opportunities for its member conferences. The D2 CCA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 60th year. For more information on NACDA and the 18 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.