CENTERVILLE, Mass. – Eastern College Athletic Conference Commissioner Rudy Keeling today announced that long-time staff member Steve Bamford will retire at the end of the month.

Currently, Bamford, 68, serves as the Administrator for Officiating and Special Projects at the ECAC. In this role, he is responsible for the supervision of the ECAC Officiating Bureau, managing a staff of 4,400 sports officials, 37 officiating coordinators in 12 officiating bureaus, and coordinating 46,000 officiating assignments annually.

During the search for a permanent ECAC commissioner during the 2006-07 school year, Bamford served in the top post on an interim basis. He joined the conference in 2000 as an assistant commissioner for officiating and compliance.

“It has been a pleasure working with the ECAC membership and our Centerville staff over the past 11 years,” Bamford said. “Partnering in a team approach with our officiating staff and our roster of 4400 officials, my direct involvement in the growth and success of our officiating bureau has been particularly enjoyable and fulfilling. Although I have now spent the last 24 years of my career in college athletics, I can’t remember a day when I didn’t look forward to going to the office.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t express my sincere gratitude to (former ECAC Commissioner) Phil Buttafuoco and Commissioner Keeling for their guidance, assistance and support during my tenure at the ECAC.”

Prior to his stint at the ECAC, Bamford served 13 years as the director of athletics at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, N.H. He was responsible for 18 intercollegiate varsity sports and 430 student-athletes at the NCAA Division III level and oversaw a $1.3 million annual budget. The programs combined to win 60 percent of their athletic contests during his tenure. Bamford initiated the NCAA Champs/Life Skills program at the school in 1996 and also proposed and implemented women's volleyball as the 18th varsity sport that same year.
Before arriving at Plymouth State, Bamford worked in public school administration. He was the principal at Hampton Academy Junior High School from 1984 to 1987, and the associate principal at Winnacunnet High School from 1975-84.

He began his career as a teacher and coach, working at Littleton High School (1965-68), St. Thomas Aquinas High School (1968-70) and Concord High School (1970-75).

Bamford is a 1965 graduate of Plymouth State with a degree in physical education. He went on to receive a master's degree from the PSC in 1975, majoring in public school administration/supervision.

=30=

(TRANSACTION: ECAC – Commissioner Rudy Keeling announced the retirement of Steve Bamford, administrator of officiating and special projects.)