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Four NCAA Division I Conferences Combine Officiating Programs
Curtis Shaw to Head Men's Basketball Officiating Consortium

	Curtis Shaw

May 6, 2010

IRVING, Texas - Conference USA will partner with the Big 12, Ohio Valley and Southland Conferences to create a newly-formed consortium to manage its basketball officiating program, as announced today by the four conference commissioners.

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Curtis Shaw, a veteran men's college basketball referee for more than 20 years, will take over duties as Coordinator of Officials for the consortium. He will be responsible for the recruiting, training, assigning and evaluating of men's basketball officials for each conference within the consortium.

"Regional officiating models are becoming more and more efficient and we are pleased to get someone with as much experience and credibility as Curtis to head this new officiating program," Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said.

The 49-year-old Shaw retired from officiating after working his fifth-consecutive NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four in 2010. It was his seventh Final Four assignment of his career and he had officiated in at least one NCAA Tournament game since 1993. A fixture at numerous postseason conference events, Shaw also saw action in the National Invitation Tournament and the NIT Season Tip-Off. Shaw worked for 15 different conferences during his career, officiating more than 1,500 games.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM OTHER CONFERENCE COMMISSIONERS

Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe
"We were fortunate to be able to hire someone with Curtis Shaw's expertise when we announced his appointment. He will do a terrific job in his role as the head of this new consortium."

Southland commissioner Tom Burnett
"We are extremely pleased to join three other outstanding conferences in this new regional officiating consortium for men's basketball. The consortium model is becoming more common around the country, and we are pleased to get someone with the experience and credibility that Curtis Shaw brings to the program."

Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Beth DeBauche
"We are pleased to affiliate with these other conferences for our men's basketball officiating. Having had a nine-year relationship with Curtis as our women's basketball officials' coordinator, we are confident he will do a great job with this endeavor and believe this is a positive development for our league."