Pac-12 Hires Ed Rush to Lead Men's Basketball Officiating

The Pac-12 Conference announced that former NBA referee Ed Rush will join the conference as the Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officiating.

“I am honored that the Pac-12 has selected me to lead their men's basketball officiating program,” said Rush. “I see the conference as a special basketball environment with a foundation of excellent officials and coaches.”

Although Rush will replace the retiring Bill McCabe, the transition should be smooth because he has served as a consultant to the Pac-12’s officiating program since 2007.

“I am delighted that we have been able to attract someone of Ed's experience and expertise to lead our officiating program,” Commissioner Larry Scott said. “He has been an expert and leader at all levels of basketball officiating, and the training program he developed for us is considered state-of-the-art.”

Since 2003, Rush has been responsible for the ongoing recruitment, training, and career development of the officiating staff of the NBA, WNBA, and NBA-D League.

From 1998-2003, he was the Director of Officiating for the NBA. Prior to joining the NBA league office, Rush spent 32 seasons on the court, officiating over 2,000 regular season games, 247 playoff, and 32 NBA Finals games from 1966-67 through 1996-97.

In 2009, Rush was named by Referee Magazine as one of the 50 most influential people in sports officiating history.

“A great hire,” said John Adams, NCAA Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officiating. “I am looking forward to working with Ed Rush as the new officiating coordinator of the Pac-12. Ed has been a visionary when it comes to training and managing basketball officials.”

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services