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NBA restructures referee operations

Email|Link|Comments (3) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff July 21, 2008 10:25 AM

The NBA today announced that it has restructured the league’s referee operations department, appointing Bernie Fryer to the position of vice president and director of officials, Joe Borgia to the position of vice president, referee operations, and Ronnie Nunn to the position of director of development.

Fryer, who served as the NBA's assistant director of officials and crew chief coordinator during the 2007-08 season, will be responsible for the day-to-day management and on-court performance of NBA referees, reporting to senior vice president of referee operations, Ron Johnson, according to the league.

Borgia, who has served for the last four years as the league's director of officiating programs and development, will be responsible for administering all other aspects of the officiating program, including recruiting, training programs, team communications and oversight of the D-League and WNBA officiating programs, also reporting to Johnson.

Nunn, who served as the NBA's director of officials for the past five seasons, will be responsible
for the teaching and development of the NBA's less-experienced referees and the transition of referees from the D-League to the NBA, reporting to Fryer.

Earlier this month, the league announced the hiring of General Ronald L. Johnson to head the league’s officiating program. General Johnson, a two-star General, recently retired from active duty as Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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3 comments so far...

How was being an army general even close to qualification to head a basketball officiating program?

Posted by edietel July 22, 08 10:33 AM

I think one would have had to been in the military,to first grasp the concept of the why a retired general could help restructure the NBA refereeing.Next,i think,its more about getting some consistency with refs,and where better can you find someone who is consistent,the military.There are so many things a military background can offer a system in that seems to be in disaray.I also believe,its not so much about the basketball game itself,than its about the operations of it.So,what does a army general have in common with officiating basketball?Whether it is basketball or soliders in a field,their has to be good structure,and consistent players,and thats what is lacking in the NBA referee's camp today.

Posted by bolvbball July 23, 08 04:07 PM

I think its not so much about the game of basketball as it is about the principles of what the games stand for and how they are being utilized.I myself,have a military background,and can see from all the negative things lately going on in the NBA,as far as referees go,they need someone or ones with a consistent,straight shooting,and honest background.As it stands,inconsistency is a big problem with officiating these days.Its also apparent,theres not any straight shooting being implimented because there wouldn't be ref's being accused of gambling on games,etc.If someone at the top,was in control in the beginning,putting rules down the right way,all would be in place today.Lastly,honest is key,in any arena of a workplace.Without honest people involve,your workplace will never flurish on the correct path it needs to.A military is a very logically approach,to help clean up the problems,and reconstruct the future plans,of making the NBA a successful place of business.

Posted by bobo July 23, 08 04:49 PM