Athens, Ohio – Seven Ohio University students officiated at national tournaments this year, giving Ohio University Campus Recreation three more officials at national tournaments than any other institution in the country. Greg Allensworth, Matt Bachman, Larry Baker, Matt Barnes, Jeff Hirz, Dave Robison and Ray Seiler were those selected. Six of the seven also received All-American Awards at national tournaments, distinguishing them as the top college officials in the country. Only twenty-eight individuals received the prestigious award in the whole country.

Allensworth, Bachman, Baker, Barnes, Hirz, Robison and Seiler received bids from regional tournaments to officiate at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association tournament in Dallas, Texas. It was held January 3rd-5th. Bachman, Barnes, Hirz and Seiler also qualified to officiate at the American Collegiate Intramural Sports national tournament in New Orleans, La. as well. The ACIS tournament was held December 28th-31st. Of the 55 institutions represented at the two national tournaments, ten percent of the officials were from OU.

“Since 1998, Ohio University has had more All-Americans than any other institution in the country, and that was also the first year OU traveled to extramural events. I’m extremely proud of these guys for continuing this tradition and this great achievement,” said Intramural Sports Director Brad Whittaker. In order to be selected, the men first had to officiate at Ohio University intramural games. If they stood out to the OU Student Directors of Officials, they were selected to officiate at regional tournaments. Each of them then was selected to officiate at national tournaments based on their performances at the regional tournaments.

“I felt more pressure at the national tournaments because if you mess up, it’s a lot more costly than a regional tournament. But I still have fun no matter how well I do,” said Matt Bachman, a sports management major who’s been officiating flag football and basketball for three years at OU. The opportunity was also good for future careers, said Campus Recreation Student Director and All-American Award winner Jeff Hirz. It was his second year officiating at the ACIS tournament but his first year at NIRSA. “It’s a really good networking opportunity even if you aren’t going into the sports fields because the majority of officials you meet aren’t going into the recreational sports field either,” said Hirz, a public relations major at OU.

The men have learned many lessons from officiating games at OU. Most agree they’ve learned more than the rules of the game; they’ve learned about teamwork, confidence and honesty as well. Perhaps the best lesson of all is that of friendship. “Because of officiating we’ve gotten to know each other really well, not just through officiating but by supervising. I’ve met my best friends here—most from intramurals,” said Bachman.
For more information please contact Brad Whittaker, Director, Intramural Sports, whittake@ohio.edu or 593-9906.