BIG EAST Baseball Names Richard Fetchiet As Coordinator of Umpires
NEW YORK – Richard Fetchiet has been named the BIG EAST Conference’s new Coordinator of Baseball Umpires as announced by the Conference on Tuesday. Fetchiet begins his tenure immediately and will work in partnership with the BIG EAST on all aspects of the BIG EAST’s umpiring program, including the assignments for the BIG EAST Championship, all conference series and non-conference home games. He will also spearhead the education and evaluation of umpires.
Fetchiet brings more than 35 years of collegiate, national, and international umpiring and umpire-related administrative experience to his role as Coordinator.
“The BIG EAST and our membership look forward to working with such a respected professional in the world of umpiring,” said James Greene, BIG EAST Senior Director of Championships. “We’re excited for the future of umpiring in the BIG EAST.”
“The BIG EAST schools play outstanding college baseball and I'm honored to be working with the umpires, coaches and players in this prestigious conference,” said Fetchiet.
One of the most respected and knowledgeable voices in NCAA umpiring circles, Fetchiet currently serves on the NCAA National Umpire Improvement Program Advisory Committee and is a past Secretary-Editor of the NCAA Baseball Playing Rules Committee. Amongst a plethora of other leadership positions, he recently served two terms on the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) Board of Directors, including being Chair of the Board in 2015-16.
Fetchiet had previously served as the Conference’s co-coordinator from 2005-13.
Seven of the 10 BIG EAST full time members sponsor baseball as a NCAA Division I sport: Butler, Creighton, Georgetown, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier. In 2017, BIG EAST Tournament Champion Xavier and St. John’s represented the league in the NCAA tournament field. The BIG EAST began sponsoring baseball as a championship sport in 1985.