The NCAA and RQ+ have partnered to create the Next Generation Officiating Initiative, expanding upon the NCAA's efforts to increase interest and education within the world of men's basketball officiating.
The free initiative will be a six-month virtual course — starting in October and concluding in March — for up-and-coming men's basketball officials that delivers targeted professional development content on topics related to the art and science of officiating. All non-Division I officials, specifically Division II, Division III, junior college, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and high school officials, are eligible to register.
Content during the virtual portion will include training videos and interactive modules that discuss topics such as effectively working with your crew, best practices when making calls on the floor and how to interact with coaches. There will also be opportunities to have conversations with other officials about current trends throughout the season.
After the end of virtual courses in March, 100 participants will be selected to attend the in-person Next Generation of Officiating program in Indianapolis, the site of the 2026 NCAA Division I, II and III Men's Basketball Championships. Selected officials will take part in a weekend full of events, including a full-day clinic and the chance to officiate select games for the USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp and/or the 2026 Manager Games tournament.
"This not only can be used as a recruitment tool but an informational opportunity," said Bo Boroski, founder and CEO of RQ+. "There's a misconception on how to get involved and the timing associated with becoming an intercollegiate men's basketball official. We want to provide content, access to essential information and an overall glimpse into this world. It's important to empower potential officials with the information that they can have the opportunity to run up and down intercollegiate floors, too."
The NCAA has conducted events like this for men's basketball officials at several of the past Men's Final Fours, but with the help of RQ+, it hopes this new initiative will expand its reach and impact. Jim Haney, the NCAA national coordinator of officials for Division III, thinks the program also will give younger officials the opportunity to connect with veterans.
"You learn from people that have been there and done things and made mistakes," Haney said. "They're willing to share and mentor you as a younger official coming up. It's important that all the younger officials have somebody to lean on, and to come up without that is hard. This is part of that program, where we're giving back because somebody started us … now it's our turn to give back."
Registration for the program opens at 10 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday. To register, visit plus.refquest.com/registration and select the "Next Gen" logo.
For any questions, email support@refquest.com.
