Through an Assignor's Eyes: Mike Eades

​Referees intent on growing their careers must master the unique preferences of every league and level they participate in. But cutting through all the small differences and really understanding the universal principles of great officiating is key.

​In this session, coordinator of basketball officials Mike Eades will share his insights for evaluating and developing referees. Using his extensive experience at a consortium of well-respected conferences, we'll discuss the key things he looks for to identify potential, and what it takes to succeed in the highest levels of officiating.

​Referees and game organizers both will come away with sage advice and practical strategies to apply.

​MEET THE GUEST

​Mike Eades serves as the manager of the officiating consortium that consists of the SEC, The American, Sun Belt and ASUN conferences. In his role as coordinator of men’s basketball officiating, Eades, who brings over 20 years of collegiate basketball officiating experience and was three times selected to officiate the Final Four, is in charge of selection, training and evaluation along with the assignment of officials for men’s basketball games hosted by American member institutions.

​Eades has vast experience as an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament official, highlighted by Final Fours in 2015, 2016 and 2017. His career also includes four Sweet 16 assignments and five Elite 8 assignments.

​A native of Princeton, West Virginia, Eades graduated from Bluefield State College (W.Va.), but prior to that played basketball at Lees-McRae College (N.C.) and was later inducted into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.