CLEVELAND – Two Lone Star Conference referees are among the 16 inaugural recipients of the 2024 Excellence in Officiating Awards announced by the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA). The Excellence in Officiating Awards represent a pioneering effort to recognize outstanding referees across NCAA Division II.
LSC basketball referee
Jennifer White was selected as the South Central Region women's award recipient while LSC football referee
Kenny Kelarek is the recipient of the South Central Region men's award.
The Excellence in Officiating Awards, presented to one male and one female official in each NCAA Division II Championship Regions, were selected from nominations submitted by conference offices upon recommendations from its league supervisors of officials. Voting was conducted by the commissioners within each of the following regions – Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, Southeast, South Central and West – to determine the regional winners.
White has officiated NCAA women's basketball games for 12 seasons in all three NCAA divisions. She has been selected to the LSC Tournament championship game crew the past two years as well as earning a spot on the Division II South Central Regional officiating crew along with tournament assignments for Division I, the Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament, Division III regionals and Southland, SWAC and Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
A former Division I student-athlete, White transitioned to coaching with a nine-year stint at St. Edward's University (2003-12) that was followed by a move to officiating where she rose through the ranks to Division II through hard work, humility and a love for officiating. A top referee on the floor, White is a communicator who works to get plays correct and puts the game, players and officiating partners before herself.
Kelarek began his football officiating career in 1987 at the high school level and has been an NCAA Division II and LSC referee since the 2006 season. At the collegiate level, Kelarek has been assigned to Division II and Division III playoff games, the Division II Kanza Bowl, and the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship game.
Known for his leadership in the growth and success of officiating, Kelarek has been instrumental in providing assistance in increasing football officiating knowledge through service as a clinician at local, state and regional high school and collegiate camps and clinics. Kelarek serves on the football Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Sports Officials and as an officer with his local officiating chapter.
In addition to the Excellence in Officiating initiative, the D2 CCA has created strategic programs aimed at transforming the landscape of sports officiating and addressing 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 the 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 in elevating 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.
D2 CCA Excellence in Officiating | 2024 Award Recipients
| Conference |
Honoree |
Sport |
Region |
| Female Recipients |
|
|
|
| SAC |
LaSonia Baker |
Basketball |
Southeast |
| CACC |
Jennifer Dumaine |
Soccer |
East |
| PSAC |
Sue Kovensky |
Basketball |
Atlantic |
| GSC |
Lila Remache |
Soccer |
South |
| NSIC |
Amy Sanchez |
Basketball |
Central |
| GNAC |
Lezley Smith |
Basketball |
West |
| GLVC |
Karen Swanner |
Soccer |
Midwest |
| LSC |
Jennifer White |
Basketball |
South Central |
| Male Recipients |
|
|
|
| PSAC |
Larry Fetterhoff |
Volleyball |
Atlantic |
| GLVC |
Gene Grimshaw |
Basketball |
Midwest |
| MIAA |
Craig Hesler |
Football, Basketball |
Central |
| LSC |
Kenny Kelarek |
Football |
South Central |
| ECC/CACC/NE10 |
Mark Lima |
Baseball |
East |
| GNAC |
Matt Mason |
Basketball |
West |
| SAC |
Max Melton |
Football |
Southeast |
| GSC |
Corey Taylor |
Basketball |
South |