PROVIDENCE, R.I.— The Southern Conference has joined the men’s basketball officiating consortium formed by the SEC, American Athletic Conference, ASUN and Sun Belt conferences, it was announced Wednesday.
 
The consortium, established prior to the 2016-17 season, has allowed the conferences to collaborate on all officiating matters related to recruitment, education, training, assigning and evaluation of men’s basketball officials.
 
Mike Eades, who has been named Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officials for the Southern Conference and was named to the same position for the other four conferences on May 5, will oversee all operations of the consortium.
 
“We welcome the Southern Conference, under the outstanding leadership of Commissioner Jim Schaus, to the men’s basketball officiating consortium with the SEC, The American, Sun Belt and ASUN,” American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco said. “The SoCon’s addition will bolster the consortium in many ways and will sharpen our focus on improved recruitment, training and efficient travel for our officials.”