[BillyMac]

November December IAABO Sportorials Magazine

In this month’s issue, the Interpreter Spotlight shines on Chicago, IL, home to one of IAABO’s newest boards. Selected to lead as interpreter is Jeff Rutledge—a dedicated official who has given so much back to the officiating community. Working at multiple levels of basketball, Jeff still finds time to teach and train officials in Board 267. He takes special pride in his YouTube channel, Officiating Born Training, where he breaks down rules, debunks officiating myths, and shares training insights.

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jeff moved to Macomb, Illinois, at age four and lived there until his early twenties. His mother, who earned her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, was hired to lead the African American Studies Department at Western Illinois University. She later concluded her career there as a tenured full professor in the Sociology Department.

Jeff made the most of his time in Macomb, earning a degree in political science from Western Illinois University. As a “Leatherneck,” he began his officiating journey, inspired by legendary NFL official Jerry Markbreit. He went on to officiate football, baseball, softball, and, of course, basketball.By trade, Jeff works in financial services, selling life insurance and annuities to clients across multiple states. But his true passion is basketball—officiating and teaching the game to others.

He and his wife, Tonia, have been married since 2015. They share a stepson, Jabari, 17, and their son, Jeffery Amani, who is four.A man with plenty to say about basketball officiating, Jeff
graciously took time to share his experiences with IAABO for Sportorials