NEW HAVEN, Conn. (January 29, 2020) -- The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) is proud to once again take part in the initiative between the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) and the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2ADA), and their "Collegiate P2R" program to address the officiating crisis facing amateur athletics in the United States of America. The program is aimed at raising awareness of the issue and providing programming for individuals interested in becoming an amateur official in various sports.

The initiative between the D2CCA and D2ADA was announced in August prior to the start of the 2019-20 athletic season, and the CACC held its first of three appreciation weeks back on Oct. 7-13, in its various fall sports. The conference and its 14-member schools will hold its second appreciation week from Jan. 29 - Feb. 4, at various basketball games throughout the league.

For more information on the initiative, please see below as the organizations all of NCAA Division II are working towards stemming the tide of this crisis.

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Courtesy of D2CCA

CLEVELAND, Ohio (August 30, 2019) – The Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) and Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) have teamed up to create the "Collegiate P2R" program to address the officiating crisis facing amateur athletics in the United States of America. The two associations are affiliates of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and represent 310 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II member institutions.

Collegiate P2R, or "Player-to-Ref" program, will target student-athletes who have concluded their college playing careers to educate them on the benefits and advantages of becoming an official. Implementation of the program will begin in the fall of 2019. Division II conference offices, in conjunction with their member institutions, will work with local officials to visit campuses and speak with student-athletes and other interested students on the pathway to become an official along with the rewards and challenges.

"D2 CCA is taking an active approach to the officiating crisis," noted current D2 CCA President Erin Lind, commissioner of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "We are providing a strategic approach to grow the pool of qualified persons interested in getting involved with officiating. This is a fantastic way for Division II student- athletes to stay in the game and give back to the game when their competing days are over."

In 2017, the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) conducted a ground-breaking industry survey that revealed the average age of officials has risen over 25 years in the past four decades and fewer younger individuals are considering the avocation. Within the NASO survey it was revealed that over half of all officials got into the industry because somebody spoke with and encouraged them to consider officiating. The Collegiate P2R program will initiate that outreach and communication. The program will also attempt to track student-athletes as they enter into officiating for support, as retention has also been an area of concern according to NASO.

"The D2 ADA Board of Directors understands that there is an officiating crisis and something must be done for the future of intercollegiate athletics," said current D2 ADA President Chris Ratcliff, director of athletics at Rogers State University. "The D2  ADA and D2  CCA leadership is committed to finding a solution before it is too late. Collegiate P2R is the first step in this process. D2 ADA is excited to see this program start and we look forward to assisting in the process of identifying and supporting young officials."

The mission of the D2 CCA is to encourage and promote Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics. The CCA works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities and serves as a voice to the NCAA representing those schools.

The purpose of the D2 ADA is to empower its membership in their roles as directors of athletics. It provides a collective voice for Division II athletics directors, a forum to discuss issues that impact their role, a recognized relationship with other athletics director associations and NCAA leadership groups and helpful information to the Division II athletics directors including surveys, newsletters and meetings.

About D2 ADA: The D2 ADA is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities; enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics; and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of Division II athletics directors. For more information about the D2 ADA, please visit www.div2ada.com. The D2 ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 55^th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
 
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 55^th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.

ABOUT THE CACC
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is an NCAA Division II Conference composed of 14 institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The member institutions are Bloomfield College, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Concordia (N.Y.) College, Dominican (N.Y.) College, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Nyack College, Post University of Waterbury, Thomas Jefferson University, University of the Sciences, and Wilmington University.