Sept. 2, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Staci Schottman, NAIA Director of Public Relations and Communications, 816-595-8116
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that Colin Kapitan has been named the recipient of the 2008 Larry Lady Officiating Award. The annual award is presented to an official, judge, starter or umpire who has worked a NAIA national tournament or event, has ten years of officiating experience in the sport of nomination and possesses high moral character, fine officiating ability and is held in high esteem by colleagues, administrators and athletes.
"Colin Kapitan is an icon of the officiating world. Since retiring from the floor and field as an active official, Kappy (Kapitan) has turned his passionate dedication to the training and development of officials at all levels of football and basketball officiating,” said Lady. “He has been a mentor to officials who have achieved prominence at the highest level of officiating excellence. I'm proud to call him friend and colleague."
Created in 2001, the Larry Lady Officiating Award recognizes an official who has excelled in and contributed to the profession. Lady is the current NAIA Supervisor of Officials (basketball, football and baseball) and Heart of America Athletic Conference Commissioner. Since attending his first NAIA basketball tournament at the age of ten, Lady has exhibited a passion for the NAIA and now recognizes others who share his commitment to intercollegiate athletics.
Like Lady, Kapitan has a love for the sports he officiated and has left a positive mark on the games he worked. Kapitan’s interest in sports started at a young age as an overachieving athlete in high school. He soon learned he had an unusual aptitude for officiating and quickly became one of the best basketball and football officials throughout the Midwest. Kapitan has been involved in NAIA athletics for over 40 years as an assignor, referee and valuable trainer with numerous officiating camps held throughout the region.
During a successful high school officiating career, Kapitan ventured into the collegiate ranks and quickly became a respected figure working numerous NAIA and NCAA football and basketball events. Kapitan became an officiating supervisor at the high school and college level and was instrumental in the formation of the South Dakota Sports Officials Council and still serves as the Executive Director. He is currently the supervisor of basketball officials for the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and basketball officials coordinator for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). He remains active as the supervisor for all sports for the Eastern South Dakota High School Athletic Conference (ESD) and is a high school track and field referee and starter. He will also work the GPAC Track and Field Championships in May. Kapitan formerly served as supervisor of officials for the South Dakota Iowa Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC), Nebraska Iowa Athletic Conference (NIAC), and the North Central Conference (NCC).
“The Great Plains Athletic Conference congratulates Colin Kapitan on this prestigious honor. Kapitan is a great ambassador for officiating and mentor to those in the profession,” said GPAC Commissioner Corey Westra. “His dedication to officiating does not go unnoticed and we commend him for his years of service to NAIA officiating.”
Kapitan’s accolades are numerous and include the National Federation Sports Hall of Fame (2001), National Federation Sports Official of the Year (1999), South Dakota High School Distinguished Service Award (1997) and the South Dakota Coaches Official of the Year Award (1992). Kapitan sits on the Yankton High School, Mount Marty College and South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame selection committees.
Kapitan will be honored at the 18th Annual NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship in Sioux City, Iowa on March 10, 2009.
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.
Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.
