IRVING, Texas - Following a national search, the American Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East Conference jointly announced on Thursday the hiring of Pualani Spurlock-Welsh as Supervisor of Women’s Basketball Officials.
"Over the past 18 years, Pualani has distinguished herself as one of the top officials in NCAA women's basketball," American Commissioner Tim Pernetti said. "We are pleased that she will continue to elevate the game in a new and challenging way as our supervisor of officials. American Conference basketball coaches, officials and student-athletes will be the beneficiary of the relationships she has built and respect she has earned throughout an outstanding, on-court career."
In her role, Spurlock-Welsh will oversee the women’s basketball officiating program for the American, ACC and Big East conferences. Additionally, Spurlock-Welsh will lead a newly formalized women’s basketball officiating alliance that will be announced later this summer.
“I am honored and thankful to Commissioner Tim Pernetti and his staff to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead our officiating team," Spurlock-Welsh said. "Women’s basketball has been an important part of my life for many years, and it is a privilege to continue serving the game in this new role. Having worked in the American Conference since 2013, I understand the commitment to excellence and the high standards that define this conference. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and working alongside an outstanding team of administrators, coaches, and officials as we continue to elevate the game of women’s basketball.”
With over 18 years of experience as a Division I college basketball official, Spurlock-Welsh brings a wealth of knowledge from the hardwood to the supervisor role. Beginning her career on the court in 2008 through the mid-major ranks, Spurlock-Welsh has been a full-time official since 2011 and has worked more than 75 Division I women’s basketball games per year across multiple conferences.
Spurlock-Welsh has officiated in the NCAA Tournament since 2011, including seven Regionals and four Final Fours. She has also spent time in the WNBA, NBA G League and internationally.
A 1,333-point scorer at Greenville High School in Pennsylvania, Spurlock-Welsh was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021. She was a member of the Duquesne women’s basketball team where she earned her bachelor’s degree before earning her master’s degree from Slippery Rock, where she served as a graduate assistant for the women’s basketball program.
What they’re saying about Pualani Spurlock-Welsh:
Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman
"Pualani brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as Women's Basketball Supervisor of Officials. She has been one of the top officials at the NCAA Division I level, earning four Women's Final Four assignments in her career, including this year's title game, and is highly respected and well-connected within the basketball community. She will be a tremendous asset to our conference."
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D.
“We look forward to welcoming Pualani - who consistently earned recognition as one of the top women’s basketball officials in the country - to the ACC as our next Supervisor of Women’s Basketball Officials. Pualani’s experience and expertise in officiating will be a tremendous asset to the league, our schools, our officials and nationally. She is an incredibly accomplished and dedicated official who is well respected and we look forward to having her leadership in this important position.”