Palmer Selected to Receive Officiating’s Highest Honor

Although Violet Palmer blazed many a trail in her officiating career, recognizing her solely for her “firsts” doesn’t begin to tell the whole story. In addition to what she accomplished as a basketball referee, her efforts as an assigner, trainer and camp leader are being recognized with this year’s Gold Whistle Award.

The award will be presented by NASO at the conclusion of the Sports Officiating Summit in Riverside, Calif., Aug. 1. The award is presented to an individual or group that has made significant contributions to the betterment of officiating, demonstrated a high degree of integrity and ethics — qualities that are held in high regard by the industry — had a consistent record of presenting officiating in a positive light, have exhibited a “service above self” attitude, have provided public service to officiating and have had a motivating effect on others and/or strong community involvement.

Upon being informed of the honor, Palmer said she was “on top of the world. This is an amazing award and I am happy and excited.”

Palmer officiated women’s college basketball, including five NCAA Final Fours and two NCAA Championship games. She was a WNBA referee and worked the league’s 1997 finals.

On Oct. 31, 1997, Palmer made history when she officiated the NBA season opener between Vancouver and Dallas, becoming the first female to officiate an American major league sport. In 2006 , she was the first woman to officiate an NBA playoff game and in 2014 broke another barrier by working the league’s all-star game. She officiated nine postseason games in six different seasons.

On Sept. 22, 2016, Palmer retired due to knee issues. At the time of her retirement, she had officiated 919 NBA games. She currently serves as coordinator of women’s basketball officials for the Pac-12, West Coast, Western Athletic, Big Sky and Big West conferences.

In 2001, Palmer established what is now known as the Basics Referee School to identify and train officials.

“Violet Palmer has shined a positive light on officiating for decades,” said NASO President Barry Mano. “She broke trail in the NBA. She has become revered as a collegiate coordinator for a plurality of conferences. She served for four years on the NASO board. All these things show her commitment to make officiating better. Her

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NASO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dana Pappas, Lebanon, Ind., Chair

Robert Smith, Waterloo, Iowa, Vice Chair

Barry Mano, Racine, Wis., President

*Bill Topp, Racine, Wis., Secretary

*Bill Carollo, Shorewood, Wis., Treasurer

*Ron Foxcroft, Burlington, Ontario, Special Adviser

Dean Blandino, Santa Monica, Calif.

Lisa Jones, Phoenix

Paul LaRosa, Metairie, La.

Pati Rolf, Pewaukee, Wis.

Sandra Serafini, Yachats, Ore.

Ron Torbert, Hanover, Md.

Mark Uyl, DeWitt, Mich.

Rob Wigod, Los Alamitos, Calif.

*Non-voting members

NASO MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of NASO is to:

• Serve members by providing benefits and services.

• Improve officiating performance through educational programs.

• Advocate opportunities for officials and engage in programs to recruit and retain officials.

• Create alliances with organizations that benefit from healthy officiating programs.

• Enhance the image of officials.

© 2023 NASO/Referee Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. It’s Official is published by the National Association of Sports Officials and Referee Enterprises, Inc.

Find NASO @ facebook.com/NASOofficiating unanimous selection was fated by the work she has done. Few have blazed such trails and in a manner that makes all of us in the officiating world proud.”

Palmer is the fourth NBA referee to receive the award, joining Joe Crawford (2014), Bob Delaney (2003) and Tommy Nunez (1999).

“Bob was one of my mentors,” Palmer said. “He’s always been very supportive of my career even to now. I can call Bob Delaney for anything.”

A bonus for Palmer, a Los Angeles resident, is the location of this year’s Summit. “Having it in Riverside and being able to celebrate with family and friends is extra special,” she said. “It’s just a drive up the freeway.”

Palmer served on the NASO board of directors from 2005-08.

Gold Whistle Award Recipients

In chronological order, here are the previous Gold Whistle Award recipients:

1988: Art McNally

1989: Ed Myer

1990: Pete Pavia

1991: Larry Barnett

1992: Jim Tunney

1993: Steve Palermo

1994: Ron Asselstine

1995: Ed Hightower

1996: Bernie Saggau

1997: Ted Butcher

1998: Durwood Merrill

1999: Tommy Nunez

2000: Tom Dooley

2001: Paul Stewart

2002: Larry Young

2003: Bob Delaney

2004: Bob McElwee

2005: John W. Keys

2006: Blow the Whistle on Cancer Campaign

2007: Jerry Markbreit

2008: Marcy Weston

2009: Mills Lane

2010: Emily Alexander

2011: Esse Baharmast

2012: Terry Gregson

2013: Bill LeMonnier

2014: Joe Crawford

2015: Marcia Alterman

2016: Ron Foxcroft

2017: Ralph Swearngin

2018: Bill Carollo

2019: Tom Lopes

2020-21: UMPS CARE

2022: Joan Powell