Empire 8 Names Michael Schmidt as Coordinator of Women’s Basketball Officials
ROCHESTER, NY – The Empire 8 has hired Michael Schmidt as the first-ever Coordinator of Women’s Basketball Officials, a position that administrators from around the conference have developed and brought to life over the past year. Schmidt will begin his duties immediately.
"The Empire 8 has a well deserved reputation for academic and athletic excellence,” said Schmidt. “I am honored to be their Women's Coordinator of Officials. I am looking forward to working closely with administration, Athletic Directors, and coaches to create an atmosphere of professional growth in officiating."
Schmidt brings an extensive officiating background to the position. He has 20 years of game experience, including as an NCAA Division I official for four years. His resume includes working games in the NCAA Division I and III Women’s Basketball Tournament, including the Division III Final Four in 2001.
More recently, he has served as a coordinator of women's basketball officials for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) in 2012-13. He worked with 46 schools from six Division III conferences including the Empire 8, SUNYAC, Liberty League, UAA, NEAC and Skyline.
“Mike has proven to be an excellent coordinator and we look forward to further developing and enhancing our officials under his guidance,” said E8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “Mike has an outstanding work ethic, passion for the game and we share the same vision for the potential of this opportunity. It is a very exciting time for Empire 8 basketball as we confidently chart into new territory.”
Away from the basketball court, Schmidt began his career as a high school teacher before becoming a principal and director of Pre-K-12 Education. He later held the position of Director of Research, Planning and Evaluation for the Syracuse City School District from 2008-2012 and now is the Chief of Operations of the Rochester City School District.
Schmidt graduated from Oswego State in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and history and went on to receive a Master of Science degree in secondary education/social studies in 1989 from Syracuse University. He then earned a Certificate of Advanced Study from SUNY Cortland in 1998.