[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I have been a basketball official for thirty years (NFHS-30yrs; NAGWS-10yrs; NCAA Women's-17yrs; NCAA Men's-4yrs; and FIBA(actually a USA Basketball Referee)-8yrs.) I am a student of the rules of basketball and that includes the mechanics of officiating. And I would hope that every basketball official would remember that he too is a student of the rules of basketball and its officiating mechanics.

I am a rules interpreter, I teach an OhioHSAA sanctioned basketball officiating class, have been on the staff of two IAABO officiating camps, and currently sit on three national committiess for IAABO.

Because of my involvement in areas of basketball officiating other that than actual officiating of games, I have found that it has been very beneficial to be familiar with all of the rule codes and mechanics that are used around the world. I use to get the NBA Rule Book, Casebook, and Mechanics Book directly from the NBA office. Now I regularily read the NBA/WNBA rules on their websites so that I know how their rules compare with the NFHS/NCAA rules and the FIBA rules.

I will admit that I am extremely proud and love the fact that the USA is still the greatest country in basketball in the world but I have not lost sight of the fact that basketball is played under three basic sets of rules: NFHS/NCAA, NBA/WNBA, and FIBA. And, all three sets of rules are basically the same, and the philosphy of how the rules are interpreted and applied are pretty much the same.

Because of the internet we have access to all of the rule codes and various basketball organizations which enables us to become familiar with how these three sets of rules go together.

I am now going to get down off my soap box and let other people wax more eloquently than myself on the subject.