CLEVELAND -- The
Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) has announced the recipients of the second annual 2025 Excellence in Officiating Awards. The Excellence in Officiating Awards represent a pioneering effort to recognize outstanding referees across NCAA Division II. The Peach Belt Conference's Darion Padgett earned the honor for the Southeast Region.
Darion Padgett is a veteran collegiate umpire and leader with over 25 years of experience in officiating, training, and assigning across major conferences and baseball organizations. Padgett has a proven track record in developing umpire programs, managing game-day operations, and mentoring officials to the highest standards of performance and integrity. Padgett has been working with the Peach Belt Conference since 2001 as an umpire, and most recently progressed into the role of Assistant Assignor.
The awards will be presented to one male and one female official that officiate in NCAA Division II Championship Regions. Awards are presented by the gender of the official regardless of the sport officiated. Conference offices solicited nominations from the conference supervisor of officials and selected one male and one female to submit for the regional award. Upon receipt of all nominees, voting was conducted by the commissioners within each of the following regions – Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, Southeast, South Central and West – to select the following regional winners.
In addition to this initiative, the D2 CCA created the following strategic programs aimed at transforming the landscape of sports officiating and address current challenges by creating recognition and recruitment opportunities.
- Officials Appreciation Week acknowledges officials across all sports seasons – fall, winter and spring – highlighting their critical role in maintaining integrity and fair competition.
- Collegiate P2R (Player-to-Ref) Program targets recently graduated student-athletes, helping educate potential officials about the rewarding opportunities in sports officiating, creating a sustainable pipeline of qualified professionals.
These efforts reflect the deep commitment the D2 CCA has homed in on to elevate the status of sports officials, by creating structured recognition and celebrating those who ensure fair play and maintain the highest level of standards for athletics competitions.
The list below honors those officials that are making significant contributions to the advancement of officiating in Division II.
| Conference |
First Name |
Last Name |
Sport |
Region |
| Female Recipients |
| CACC |
Laura |
Craft |
Volleyball |
East |
| GSC |
Jessyca |
Christopher |
Basketball |
South |
| PSAC |
Pam |
Miller |
Basketball, Lacrosse & Field Hockey |
Atlantic |
| MIAA |
Naomi |
Omenski |
Soccer |
Central |
| CC |
Joan |
Sitterly |
Lacrosse |
Southeast |
| GLIAC |
Stacey |
Thomas |
Basketball |
Midwest |
| Male Recipients |
| LSC |
Tim |
Debysingh |
M-W Soccer |
South Central |
| CACC |
Dave |
DeYong |
Basketball |
East |
| NSIC |
Mike |
Mudder |
Football |
Central |
| PBC |
Darion |
Padgett |
Baseball |
Southeast |
| GLIAC |
Brian |
Smith |
Volleyball |
Midwest |
| GSC |
Nate |
Starr |
Baseball |
South |
| PSAC |
Joe |
Volpe |
Baseball |
Atlantic |