FIRST FEMALE DEAF REFEREE IN NCAA DIVISION I

From: East Hartford Gazette, CT - 09 Jan 2003

An instructor from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology has become the first female deaf referee in the history of NCAA Division I.

Marsha Wetzel participated in the referee try-out camp for the Patriot and Athletic 10 Women's Basketball Conferences over the past summer, and was added to the staff of both, said Renee Dorfman, coordinator of officials for the Patriot League.

"She's very crisp and very clear with her signals, she exhibits good judgment and consistent, fair application of the rules," said Marie Koch, coordinator of officials for Atlantic 10 Conference. "Her court awareness is excellent ."
Both Koch and Dorfman said that Wetzel's being deaf has no impact on her ability on the court. In addition to the Atlantic 10 and Patriot League conferences, she officiates at NCAA Division III games and high school contests.

©East Hartford Gazette 2003