[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

There is Mark, me (Mark T. DeNucci, Sr., aka MTD, Sr.) and Mark Padgett and everybody addresses as Mark or Padgett when talking to or about Padgett, and when taking to about me, I am addessed as Mark, MTD, Sr., Mark, Sr. (there is a Mark, Jr./MTD, Jr./Junior/Mark that officiates with me and who more often than not has to carry my broken down old tuchus up and down the basketball court, and always takes the Plate when we umpire togehter), "bald old geezer", or "senile bald old geezer".

This school year is my 41st year as a boys'/girls' H.S. (includes Jr. H.S.) basketball official; I started with the 1971-72 school year. I officiated women's college basketball from the 1974 to 2008, and men's college basketball from 1993 to 2008. I was a USA Basketball (that's FIBA Rules) from 1993 to 2003.

I was the first male to officiate women's college basketball in the state of Florida and one of the first to officiate women's college basketball in the Southeast USA, back before you were a twinkle in your old man's eye. I have officiated over 20 Div. I and over 20 jr. coll. women's playoff games. I have officiated over 40 AAU and YBOA Boys' and Girls' National Championship Tournaments including three YBOA Girls' National Championship Games.

I was on the 1999 Officiating Staff for the Special Olympics World Summer Games. And in March I will officiate in my 21st Ohio Special Olympics State Final Four.

Those are my accomplishments on the court. And I have even brought up my friend (and peers) that I have made along the way and what I have tried to give back to the profession off of the court.

When I first started officiating I never thought about where I would end as a basketball official and I never would have dreamed that I would have done what I have done. But I know that I am lucky to have accomplished what I have, because such a small percentage ever get to do what I have done.

So yes, I do get to take a few whacks at your when I read such nonsense. Remember, I am a bald old geezer, and I can get pretty cranky when I get riled up.

MTD, Sr.