ATLANTA (September 10, 2024) – The Atlanta Tipoff Club named Bonita Spence as the 2024 Naismith Women’s College Official of the Year and Reggie Cofer as the 2024 Naismith Men’s College Official of the Year for their contributions to the sport of basketball. Both will be recognized posthumously this fall during the 2024 NCAA Basketball Regional Officiating clinics.

 

First presented in 1988, the Naismith Official of the Year Award recognizes individuals who display character, integrity and dignity and have contributed mightily to college basketball’s growth, success, and viability. To be eligible, an individual must have been involved with the sport as a game official for a minimum of 20 years, worked both the NCAA Tournament and a conference tournament as a game official, and retired from on-court officiating.

 

Spence, who passed away in 2013, worked every NCAA women’s tournament starting in 2000, including the Final Four in 2001 and 2005. She was an active official for 27 years in the Atlantic Coast Conference, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Ivy League, MAAC, Northeast Conference, Patriot League and Southeastern Conference. Spence also refereed WNBA games from 1999-2009.

 

Spence played at Monmouth and was the point guard on the school’s first Division I team in 1982. She set the school’s assist record that season, a mark matched a year later and still stands today. Spence was a graduate assistant for the school a year later. She also worked as a principal investigator in the New Jersey office of the public defender in Newark for more than 20 years.

 

“Bonita’s passion for basketball extended far beyond the court, as she found her true calling in officiating the game she loved,” said her cousin Byron Dobson. “Winning this award would leave her speechless and is a testament to her dedication and selflessness. Though she always placed others above herself, this recognition is a reflection of the profound impact she made on the sport and everyone around her. Accepting this on her behalf is an honor, and I know she would be deeply humbled.”

 

Cofer was a Division I official from 1991-2005, working in the Southeastern, Atlantic Coast, Big South, Colonial and Southern conferences. He was selected to work in the NCAA Tournament from 1999-2005, including two Sweet 16 appearances and the 2003 NCAA Men’s National Championship game.

 

In 2020, he joined the SEC Officiating Consortium and was the Coordinator of Officials for the Sun Belt Conference and SWAC. He was also a member of the NCAA Mechanics Committee.

 

Upon his passing in November 2023, the CCA dedicated the 2024-25 Men’s Basketball Officiating Manual to his memory.

 

“Reggie would be extremely humbled and shocked to receive the Naismith Men’s College Official of the Year award as it’s such a prestigious honor,” said his brother, Garen Cofer. “Reggie always had a passion for refereeing and also developing young referees to reach their fullest potential. It was always his ultimate goal to give back to the sport because college basketball had such a positive impact on his life. He genuinely cared about everyone he worked with.”

 

“Bonita and Reggie poured significant time and expertise into the sport, not just through their officiating

but also by mentoring younger officials on and off the court,” said Eric Oberman, president of the Atlanta

Tipoff Club. “Their efforts will leave a lasting positive impact on the game. We are honored to count

them as part of the Naismith Awards family.”

 

Former winners of the award include:

 

Women's Official of the Year Men's Official of the Year
2023Mark ZentzMichael Stephens
2022Ron DressanderDale Kelley
2021Dana SendersHank Nichols
2020Felicia GrinterMike Eades
2019Barbara Jo SmithBobby Dibler
2018Denise BrooksJim "Boomer" Bain
2017Al LinkJohn Higgins
2016Phyllis DeveneyDick Cartmell
2015Dock SiskMike Sanzere
2014Kaye GarmsRandy McCall
2013Marcy WestonTom Eades
2012Doug CloudTom O'Neill
2011Mary DayEd Corbett
2010Denny MayerAnthony Greene
2009Nan SiskMike Kitts
2008Tommy Salerno Scott Thornley
2007Tina NapierJohn Cahill
2006Joe Cunningham Steve Welmer
2005Wesley Dean Ted Valentine
2004Melissa Barlow Bob Donato
2003Yvette McKinney Mike Wood
2002Lisa Mattingly Larry Rose
2001Scott Yarbrough Ted Hillary
2000Dennis DeMayoGerald Boudreaux
1999Violet Palmer Andre Pattillo
1998Bob Trammell Frank Scagliotta
1997Dee Kantner Tommy Lopes
1996John Morningstar Dick Paparo
1995Darlene May Leonard Wirtz
1994Larry Sheppard Tim Higgins
1993Arthur BomengenJames Burr
1992Sue KennedyEd Hightower
1991 Sally BellDon Rutledge
1990Bill StokesMickey Crowley
1989June CourteauJohn Clougherty
1988Patty BroderickJoe Forte

Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include AXIA Time, Jersey Mike’s and Werner Ladder.

 

Media Contact:

Mallory Hadaway, Atlanta Tipoff Club/Naismith Awards
[email protected]
(256) 682-0599