Officiate Michigan Day - Speakers

Mark has served on the Big Ten officiating staff since 2017 as a Line of Scrimmage official. Prior to joining the Big Ten, he officiated in the MAC, GLIAC, MIAA, and Arena Football League. Mark also helps coordinate an official’s study group in the Grand Rapids area, supporting the continued development of football officials. Outside of officiating, he is a retired Captain from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and currently serves as a Township Supervisor in West Michigan.

Brenda is a highly experienced gymnastics official and a leader in the sport. She currently serves as an Officials Coordinator for the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA) and has been involved in Michigan gymnastics governance and championship officiating. She has been a member of the MHSAA Gymnastics Committee and has served as a chief judge and meet referee at the MHSAA Gymnastics Finals. Brenda has been instrumental in the recruitment, training, and development of officials.

Amy Braun is a respected leader in Michigan girls competitive cheer with experience as a coach, official and advocate for the sport. She has worked closely with coaches and officials to support consistent rules knowledge, athlete safety and continues to contribute to the development of coaches and programs in MHSAA Girls Competitive Cheer.

Juli Brown is a longtime MHSAA-registered official with more than two decades of judging experience. Juli has dedicated her career to promoting excellence, consistency, and education in competitive cheer officiating throughout the state. She has been recognized by her peers as an MCJA Official of the Year recipient, and her unique perspective as both a coach and official has made her a valued resource for judges and coaches.  

Candy serves as Executive Director of the Michigan Cheer Judges Association (MCJA) where she has trained and mentored hundreds of officials throughout the state. As the first competitive cheer official to receive the MHSAA Vern L. Norris Award, she was recognized for her decades of service, mentorship, and educational leadership. Candy is widely regarded as one of the foundational figures in Michigan Girls Competitive Cheer. 

Joey Crawford is a proud inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026. He was an NBA referee from 1977-2016 and officiated over 300 NBA playoff games including 50 Finals games. Simply put, Joe is one of the top referees in NBA history and is part of a famous officiating family with his father Shag and brother Jerry both having served as longtime National League umpires and crew chiefs for decades. 

Diana is a longtime educator and competitive cheer official. Her background as both a teacher and official has given her a unique perspective on athlete development, performance standards and rules application. She is recognized for officiating at the highest levels of the sport, including MHSAA State Finals competitions. 

Donnie Eppley currently serves as the executive director of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials. He also has served as coordinator of men’s basketball officials for the Horizon League, and is a former B1G, MAC, Summit and Horizon League men’s basketball all official. He has officiated in the NCAA Tournament 12 times and in the NIT Tournament as well. 

Rich Fetchiet is the current coordinator of umpires for the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences. Former coordinator for the American, Big East, Conference USA, Horizon, MAC, Missouri Valley and Summit Conferences. Retired college baseball umpire (Big Ten) and football official (MAC) who worked three College World Series assignments, working the plate in the 1999 championship game. Rich also worked the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia and is the winner of the 2026 NASO Gold Whistle Award. He is a retired administrator at the University of Michigan.

Rudy Godefroidt a 50-year MHSAA high school official in track & field and cross country. Rudy has served as the meet referee and officials coordinator for the MHSAA cross country Finals since 1996 and the MHSAA Track & Field Finals since 1995.  Rudy is the 2010 MHSAA Charles E. Forsythe award winner and a longtime President and board member of ATOM, the statewide association of Track & Field Officials. 

Goodlock is a highly respected gymnastics official and officiating leader with decades of experience in the sport. Doris has been dedicated to promoting excellence, consistency, and professionalism in gymnastics and cheer officiating while supporting the development of officials at multiple levels of competition. In addition to her work as a judge, Doris currently serves as the Officials Coordinator for the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA), where she supports and develops officials across the country. 

Phil has been on the Big Ten staff since 2020, where he works primarily as a Field Judge. He has officiated two Big Ten Championships, two Orange Bowls, and a First Round CFP. Prior to his time in the Big Ten, he worked in the MAC and the GLIAC. Although born and raised in Detroit, Phil currently resides in Van Buren Township, Michigan. Additionally, Phil is a Davenport University graduate and works in the automotive industry.

Current NFL referee who has been on the NFL staff since 2014, starting as a side judge before being promoted to referee in 2018. Prior to his time in the NFL, Alex worked in the Big Ten, MAC, and GLIAC. He is a graduate of Greenville High School and owns and operates Kemp Insurance, which has been family-owned and operated since 1879. Alex’s father, Stan, was a longtime NFL official, and his brother Jake currently works in the Big Ten. 

Dr. Kiuchi currently serves as the state director of referee development for the Michigan Soccer Referee Program. He also directs the Referee Academy and serves as a PRO assessor. Yuya is a professor at Michigan State University in human development and family studies. 

Jill is a longtime member of the Michigan Cheer Judges Association. She is an experienced girls competitive cheer official and former MCJA Official of the year. She has dedicated years to promoting excellence, consistency, and education in cheer officiating across Michigan. 

Throughout her years of service, Paula has demonstrated a strong commitment to the education, development, and mentorship of cheer officials. She continues to be a valued resource for officials and coaches, and her commitment to supporting competitive cheer has made a lasting impact. In recognition of her dedication and contributions to the profession, she was named the Michigan Cheer Judges Association Official of the Year in 2022. 

Will has been on the Big Ten staff since 2023 and works as a line judge. Prior to his time in the Big Ten, he worked in the MAC and GLIAC. Will has been an MHSAA assistant director since 2021 and is responsible for basketball and football. Prior to joining the MHSAA staff, he worked as the Athletic Director at Summit Academy in Romulus. He also serves as Michigan’s NFHS football rules committee member and has been the NFHS football mechanics manual chair since 2025.

Current MSHSL (Minnesota) Assistant Director and Big Ten football referee who worked the College Football Playoffs (CFP) in 2024. He is a former high school and small college basketball, baseball, volleyball, and softball official. Jason is also a former assigner and local association leader.

Andy O'Brien currently serves as the IAABO University Coordinator and NCAA Men’s Basketball Official in the B1G, Mountain West, MAC, Summit, and Horizon Leagues. He has been an NCAA tournament official.

Dino has been on the NFL staff since 2006, working as a back judge his entire career. He has worked three Super Bowls, which included XLVII (2013), LV (2021), and LVII (2023). Prior to his time in the NFL, Dino worked in the Big Ten, MAC, GLIAC, and the MIAA. He is a graduate of Wyoming Rogers High School in West Michigan and graduated from Aquinas College, where he played baseball. Dino’s father, Carl, was the true “godfather” of football officiating in Michigan for decades, and his two brothers Perry and Carl Jr. were both longtime NFL officials.

Current W5 Coordinator of Women's Volleyball Officials and Coordinator of women’s volleyball officials for the Mountain West, Big West, Big Sky, and Big 12. Joan was the first NCAA National Coordinator of Volleyball Officials and was the 2022 NASO Gold Whistle recipient. She officiated multiple NCAA DI, II, and III championships and is a former NASO board member. 

Rachael has extensive experience in education and sports leadership. Currently serving as an Adjunct Professor at Liberty University Online since August 2010, Rachael has also held the position of Executive Coordinator for the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials since March 2017 and has been a Volleyball Referee for USA Volleyball since January 2011. Previous roles include time at Trinity Baptist College, where Rachael also contributed as an Associate Professor, Chair of the Office Administration Program, Volleyball Coach, and Assistant Basketball Coach.

Current NBA referee since 2020 and previously worked in the NBA-G League. Prior to officiating, she played basketball at Oakland University and Saginaw Valley State University. She is a former MHSAA registered basketball official from 2003-2018. 

Dr. Serafini is a former FIFA soccer referee and current evaluator and trainer of soccer referees around the world. “Fini” is the co-founder of RefInsight, combining IT platform development for officiating organizations, strategic planning, needs analyses, and organizational methods. She also enjoyed a long career in academia at Duke University with an emphasis in neuroscience/neurosurgery. She is a former board member and chair of the NASO Board. 

Jeff has been on the Big Ten staff since 2014, starting as a side judge before being promoted to referee in 2018. Prior to his time in the Big Ten, he worked in the MAC and GLIAC. He is a graduate of Midland Dow High School and Central Michigan University, where he played baseball. He currently owns and operates Burkhart-Presidio Insurance in Midland and still officiates high school basketball.

Randy is a 30-year MHSAA high school ice hockey official who has refereed three MHSAA Ice Hockey Finals and numerous Semifinal games. Randy has also worked numerous NCAA games at the DI and DIII levels, as well as at the ACHA level, as a referee and linesman. Randy is the assignor and President of the West Michigan Hockey Officials Association, the largest ice hockey officials association in the State. Randy serves as an MHSAA observer and is also a member of USA Hockey Officiating.

Current NFL referee who worked Super Bowl LX in 2026 and has been on the NFL staff since 2015, starting as an umpire before being promoted to referee in 2018. Prior to his time in the NFL, Shawn worked in the Big Ten, MAC, Conference USA, and the GLIAC. He is a graduate of Cody High School in Detroit, a former track athlete at Eastern Michigan and Ferris State, and currently resides in Southfield, where he works in finance. 

Stacy's journey into the world of cheer began in 1989, a time when girls competitive cheer had yet to be recognized as a sport in Michigan. As the landscape evolved, so did Stacy's role. In 1994, she was at the forefront of change as girls' competitive cheer was introduced as an official MHSAA-sanctioned winter sport. Beyond coaching, Stacy immersed herself in the world of  competitive cheer as an official, and her commitment and expertise led her to be elected to the Michigan Cheer Judges Association board, where she assumed the presidency. 

Current NFL referee who worked Super Bowls LVI (2022) and LIX (2025). Ron has been on the NFL staff since 2010, starting as a side judge before being promoted to referee in 2014. Prior to his time in the NFL, Ron worked in the Big Ten, MAC and GLIAC. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and Harvard Law School, working as the longtime vice president and general counsel for Barton Malow prior to retirement.  He is the current chair of the NASO Board.

Cindy is one of Michigan’s most experienced leaders in girls competitive cheer officiating. She is also a former coach and has served in multiple leadership roles within the Michigan Cheer Judges Association (MCJA), including President and Immediate Past President. She has been instrumental in the recruitment, training, and development of officials, helping to ensure consistency and professionalism in the sport. 

Current Director of Officials Services for the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA). Dave currently umpires in the Big Ten and SEC and worked the 2024 College World Series along with numerous NCAA Division I Regional and Super Regional assignments. He is a former professional umpire for over a decade, who worked two seasons of MLB Spring Training. Dave also officiated football in the Mid-American Conference and is the former athletic director at Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School in Nashville.

Mike VanDyke is 25-year MHSAA high school official in track & field and cross country. Mike is also the head women’s Track and Field coach at Grand Rapids West Catholic and serves as the officials coordinator for the MHSAA Track & Field Finals, where he has officiated the MHSAA Finals for the past 15 years. Mike is an ATOM (Association of Track & Field Officials of Michigan) board member.

Serves as the Coordinator of Umpires for the Big 12 Conference, Big Ten Conference and NCAA Regional Advisor for the Softball Umpire Program. Additionally, Walker was a Division I umpire for 19 seasons. Her postseason experience includes a total of 32 postseason championships – five Women’s College World Series (2002, 2003, 2006 and 2009), five Super Regionals, 11 NCAA Regionals and 12 Division I conference tournaments.

Gary is a retired NBA referee with over 1,000 regular-season games and 18 playoff games officiated. Gary is a former staff member in the NBA Referee Operations Department, along with the Youth and Amateur Officiating Development Lead. He serves as a clinician, camp coordinator, and public speaker.