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HBCU Athletic Conference

HBCUAC Appoints New Coordinators of Officials

HBCUAC Appoints New Coordinators of Officials
September 19, 2024

NEW ORLEANS- September 19, 2024- The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Adrienne Barnes as the Softball Coordinator of Officials and Chris Booker as the Baseball Coordinator of Officials, beginning in the 2025 season. 

SOFTBALL COORDINATOR OF OFFICIALS DR. ADRIENNE BARNES

Dr. Adrienne Barnes brings over a decade of experience in coordinating and assigning softball officials at various levels, making her an excellent fit for the role of Softball Coordinator of Officials for the HBCUAC. Since beginning her officiating career in 2009, Dr. Barnes has served as the Umpire-in-Chief (UIC) and assignor for several fastpitch organizations, including high school, collegiate, and recreational leagues. Her expertise in managing officials and her passion for developing young talent have earned her a respected reputation in the softball community.

In addition to her officiating roles, Dr. Barnes has an extensive background in education, having worked as an educator from 1996 to 2017. She currently runs ThinkRtI Educational Consulting, and she collaborates with EdFirst Consortium in Educational Leadership, serving as an external evaluator and IT consultant. Her experience in both education and sports officiating will bring a strong organizational structure to the conference's softball program.

Postseason Accomplishments of Adrienne Barnes Include:

  • 2017- SCAC conference tournament (NAIA); SWAC conference tournament- Alabama State
  • 2018- DII Regional and Super Regional -Southern Arkansas
  • 2019- SWAC Conference tournament-Alabama State
  • 2021- SWAC conference tournament -Gulfport
  • DIII Regional/Super Regional- ETBU
  • 2022- DIII Regional-ETBU

BASEBALL COORDINATOR OF OFFICIALS CHRIS BOOKER

Chris Booker, a veteran umpire with more than 20 years of experience, will take on the role of Baseball Coordinator of Officials. Booker's distinguished career began in 2003, and since then, he has officiated across various levels, including NAIA, NCAA D-I, D-II, and D-III events. A graduate of the Jim Evans Umpire Academy (Class of 2011), Booker has been a fixture at multiple Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Sunbelt, and American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship tournaments.

His impressive resume includes officiating several high-profile tournaments, such as the 2019 NCAA D-I Regional Championship and the 2015 NCAA D-II National Championship, where he served as a crew chief for the South Central Regional. Booker's dedication to the development of baseball officials aligns with the HBCUAC's mission of providing continued professional growth and opportunities for postseason consideration within the NAIA.

Postseason Accomplishments of Chris Booker Include:

  • 2024 AAC Conference Tournament Umpire
  • 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 SWAC Conference Tournament Umpire
  • 2021 Sunbelt Conference Tournament Umpire
  • 2019 NCAA D-I Regional Championship Umpire
  • 2015 NCAA D-II National Championship Umpire (Crew Chief)

Leadership and Vision

The HBCUAC is confident that Dr. Barnes and Chris Booker will elevate the conference's officiating standards and ensure consistency and excellence across softball and baseball programs. Both coordinators bring a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of officials, aligning with the HBCUAC's goal of fostering leadership and professional growth throughout collegiate athletics.

For more information about the appointments and upcoming events, please contact the HBCUAC at communications@hbcuac.org.

 

-HBCUAC-

About HBCU Athletic Conference

The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Oakwood University (AL), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.

 

Media Contact:
Dani Wright
Director of Strategic Communications
HBCU Athletic Conference
Phone: (833) 504-HBCU (4228) x2
Email: communications@hbcuac.org
Website: hbcuac.org