ATLANTA (October 5, 2020) – Today, the Atlanta Tipoff Club named Felicia Grinter as the 2020 Naismith Women’s College Official of the Year and Mike Eades as the 2020 Naismith Men’s College Official of the Year for their contributions to the sport of basketball. Both were recognized during the 2020 NCAA Basketball Regional Officiating virtual clinics, which were held this past weekend.
First awarded in 1988, the Naismith Official of the Year award recognizes individuals who display character, integrity and dignity and have contributed mightily to the growth, success and viability of college basketball. To be eligible, an individual must have been involved with the sport as a game official for a minimum of 20 years and worked both the NCAA Tournament and a conference tournament as a game official.
During her more than 25 years as a Division I official, Grinter has worked 20 NCAA Tournaments, including seven Final Fours. She has officiated numerous conference tournaments and worked several professional games in the U.S. as well as officiating international events, including the 2012 Olympics. Grinter currently works in the Big Ten, Big 12, C-USA, MAC, Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, SEC, Sun Belt and SWAC Conferences and has served as an official for games in the ACC, ASUN and MEAC.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to receive the 2020 Naismith Women’s College Official of the Year Award. I would like to thank the Atlanta Tipoff Club and all the voting members for this prestigious award,” said Grinter. “I’m very grateful to all the award winners that have come before me; I understand without their guidance and the support of my coordinators and mentors I could not have accomplished such an honor. I definitely stand on the shoulders of giants. I accept this amazing award on behalf of my family, friends and all the referees that have played a role in my basketball officiating success. It is my passion and purpose to leave a legacy behind and assist those that wish to follow in the footsteps of so many great officials. My career has been nothing short of a true blessing and receiving this award is the pinnacle.”
Eades has been a Division I official for 23 years in numerous conferences, including in the AAC, ACC, Atlantic 10, Big 12, Big East, Big South, Big Ten, CAA, SEC and Southern Conference. He began his career officiating for the Big South and has spent 20 years serving as an ACC official. His long and successful career as a college basketball game official includes working 13 NCAA Division I Tournaments, four Final Fours and the 2017 title game. Currently, Eades is the Southeastern Conference Consortium Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officials.
“I am honored to receive the Naismith College Official of the Year for the 2019-20 season. To be included with some of the greats of college officiating is very humbling,” said Eades. “Early in my career, I set winning this Naismith award as one of my goals. To be able to achieve it means more than I can say.”
“Both Felicia and Mike have dedicated their careers to bettering the sports of college basketball, both on and off the court,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “Their contributions to the sport and mentorship of younger officials will have a lasting impact on the game of basketball.”
Former winners of the awards include:
| Men's Official of the Year | Women's Official of the Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Mike Eades | Felicia Grinter |
| 2019 | Bobby Dibler | Barbara Jo Smith |
| 2018 | Jim “Boomer” Bain | Denise Brooks |
| 2017 | John Higgins | Al Link |
| 2016 | Dick Cartmell | Phyllis Deveney |
| 2015 | Mike Sanzere | Dock Sisk |
| 2014 | Randy McCall | Kaye Garms |
| 2013 | Tom Eades | Marcy Weston |
| 2012 | Tom O'Neill | Doug Cloud |
| 2011 | Ed Corbett | Mary Day |
| 2010 | Anthony Greene | Denny Mayer |
| 2009 | Mike Kitts | Nan Sisk |
| 2008 | Scott Thornley | Tommy Salerno |
| 2007 | John Cahill | Tina Napier |
| 2006 | Steve Welmer | Joe Cunningham |
| 2005 | Ted Valentine | Wesley Dean |
| 2004 | Bob Donato | Melissa Barlow |
| 2003 | Mike Wood | Yvette McKinney |
| 2002 | Larry Rose | Lisa Mattingly |
| 2001 | Ted Hillary | Scott Yarbrough |
| 2000 | Gerald Boudreaux | Dennis DeMayo |
| 1999 | Andre Pattillo | Violet Palmer |
| 1998 | Frank Scagliotta | Bob Trammell |
| 1997 | Tommy Lopes | Dee Kantner |
| 1996 | Dick Paparo | John Morningstar |
| 1995 | Leonard Wirtz | Darlene May |
| 1994 | Tim Higgins | Larry Sheppard |
| 1993 | James Burr | Arthur Bomengen |
| 1992 | Ed Hightower | Sue Kennedy |
| 1991 | Don Rutledge | Sally Bell |
| 1990 | Mickey Crowley | Bill Stokes |
| 1989 | John Clougherty | June Courteau |
| 1988 | Joe Forte | Patty Broderick |
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
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 Citizen Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983.
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Media Contact:
Traci Messier
Jackson Spalding for the Atlanta Tipoff Club
706-816-6022