CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP IN SPORTS OFFICIATING
AWARDS
RICH FETCHIET
Longtime college baseball umpire who worked many of the sport’s premier events, including the Men’s College World Series, the Pan American Games, the World Championships, the World Cup of Baseball and the Olympic Games. A respected advocate for umpires and a model of integrity in college baseball, he has mentored and trained generations of officials. Founder of the Collegiate Baseball Umpires Alliance (CBUA), dedicated to the education, training, evaluation and assignment of umpires at the NCAA, NAIA and junior college levels. He also serves as coordinator of baseball umpires for the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences. Honors include induction into the College Baseball Foundation Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame’s Michigan Treasure Award in 2023. Served on the NASO Board of Directors from 2012–2016.
MEL NAROL MEDALLION
REFEREE ENTERPRISES INC.
Publishers of Referee magazine, the leading voice of sports officials since 1976. In 2026, the organization celebrates 50 years of service to the sports officiating industry. Since 1980, through a management agreement, it has handled the day-to-day operations of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) and its more than 32,000 members. The organization partners with the NFHS, state high school associations, national governing bodies and many other organizations to support the education and training of sports officials through the publication and development of newsletters, books, training manuals, testing materials, video resources and online courses.
INSPIRE AWARD
THE BIENIEWICZ FAMILY
Kris (wife) and sons Josh and Kyle suffered the tragic loss of their husband and father, John Bieniewicz, after he was attacked while refereeing a 2014 adult soccer match in the Michigan United Soccer League. He later died from his injuries. In honor of his father and the avocation he loved so dearly, Kyle continued to referee soccer following John’s passing. The Bieniewicz family has remained strong advocates for sports officials, actively supporting legislative efforts in Michigan to increase penalties for assaults on officials. They have also established a scholarship fund in John’s memory. For more information or to contribute, visit the John Bieniewicz Memorial Scholarship Foundation website.
