Debbie Williamson Named MAAC Coordinator of Women's Basketball Officials
MAAC Sports
EDISON, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) announced today that Debbie Williamson has been named the league’s Coordinator of Women’s Basketball Officials. Williamson currently serves as the Women's Basketball Coordinator of Officials for the American Athletic, Atlantic 10, and Big East Conferences.
“Debbie Williamson brings an abundance of experience and passion to her position of MAAC Coordinator of Women’s Basketball Officials,” notes MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. “The MAAC is fortunate to have Debbie assume the league’s officiating responsibilities as she will improve the group with her training and technology expertise. The MAAC needs to attract new officials to its ranks and training will be a key to insure the proper development of the pool. Debbie’s experience with other leagues, and her past service to the NCAA, were important factors in her selection by the MAAC.”
Prior to assuming roles as the Women’s Basketball Coordinator of Officials for the American, A-10, and Big East, Williamson served as the NCAA’s national coordinator of women’s basketball officiating and secretary-rules editor from 2006-2014. Williamson joined the NCAA staff in 2006 as secretary-rules editor and added the role of national coordinator of women’s basketball officiating in 2011.
"I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve the members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. I'm looking forward to working with the administrators and teams in this league under the leadership of Rich Ensor. Commissioner Ensor is and has been a strong leader and advocate of women's basketball. This is a great opportunity to work with people who share a passion for women's basketball and to be able to serve our game in the area of rules and officiating," said Williamson on her new role with the MAAC.
"Debbie will be a terrific addition to the MAAC and our women's basketball coaches. She brings a tremendous amount of experience in women's basketball and officiating in addition to understanding the importance of utilizing technology in making officials better. She's also been extremely creative and effective in bringing more female officials to the college game," notes Marist College Director of Athletics Tim Murray.
Williamson served on officiating staffs for several conferences prior to her role with the NCAA. The conferences she served included the Big South Conference, the Colonial Athletic Association, the Peach Belt Conference, the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference, USA South, and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
“I am incredibly excited for the experience and enthusiasm that Debbie is going to bring to the MAAC. She has an immense understanding in a multitude of different areas, and I’m eager to see how her unique perspective will help evolve and grow the officiating in the conference,” said Iona College Head Coach Billi Godsey. “I am appreciative of the MAAC for its continuous effort to grow our sport, and Debbie’s hire is just another stride in its commitment to women’s basketball."
“I can't think of a more positive singular, significant, immediate impactful decision Rich Ensor, (and the rest of the MAAC officials and Athletic Directors) have made to help make our game a better game to play and watch. Debbie Williamson brings a background of excellence, stellar reputation, and service to making the game of women's basketball the best it can be. This continues to expand the profile and raise the bar of excellent basketball being played in the MAAC,” notes Quinnipiac University Head Coach Tricia Fabbri.
Williamson graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1985 and led the Lady Techsters to four Final Four appearances. She was a member of the first NCAA Women’s Basketball championship team in 1982. Williamson earned her master’s degree in health and physical education from Louisiana Tech in 1986 and completed her doctorate for education from the University of Houston in 2000.