The Official Forum  

Go Back   The Official Forum > Basketball

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old Tue Sep 17, 2013, 10:17pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Menifee,CA
Posts: 860
NCAAW Vet passes away

Bonita Spence, 51, was 27-year vet
Updated: September 17, 2013, 3:57 PM ET
Associated Press
Bonita Spence, a longtime women's basketball official who worked two Finals Fours and refereed for 10 years in the WNBA, has died. She was 51.

She died Sunday, the NCAA said. The governing body on Tuesday did not immediately release further details.

Spence worked every NCAA women's tournament since 2000, including the Final Four in 2001 and 2005. She officiated for 27 years, handling games in the Big East, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten and Southeastern Conference. Spence also refereed in the WNBA from 1999-2009.

"I had personally known Bonita since high school and had always admired her integrity and spirit," Anucha Browne, the NCAA's vice president for women's basketball, said in a statement. "Her longtime officiating career, numerous NCAA championships and her mentoring of many young officials will help carry her legacy forward in the game."

Spence played at Monmouth and was the point guard on the school's first Division I team in 1982. She set the school's assist record that season, a mark that was matched a year later and still stands. Spence was a graduate assistant for the school a year later.

"Lost a good official today," Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma tweeted Monday night. "Lost an even better person."

Spence also worked as a principal investigator in the New Jersey office of the public defender in Newark for more than 20 years.

My condolences to her family,friends,and colleagues.
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old Wed Sep 18, 2013, 04:12am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: West Orange, NJ
Posts: 2,583
I'm stunned.

I saw Bonita at the Big East/AAC/SAWBO camp in July and got my usual shake of the head when I kicked a call. I always laughed with her about it because the head shakes came fewer and further between as time went on.

I was one of many people lucky enough to be on a conference call with her last Wednesday night. She was among the officials spearheading a study group for NCAAW officials to help all of us improve. Tonight is supposed to be the first in-person meeting.

I'm stunned.
__________________
"Everyone has a purpose in life, even if it's only to serve as a bad example."
"If Opportunity knocks and he's not home, Opportunity waits..."
"Don't you have to be stupid somewhere else?" "Not until 4."
"The NCAA created this mess, so let them live with it." (JRutledge)
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old Wed Oct 02, 2013, 12:16pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: New York City
Posts: 322
Angry

One of the best partners I ever worked with. Such a class act and wonderful person. RIP.
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old Wed Oct 02, 2013, 12:51pm
Rich's Avatar
Get away from me, Steve.
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 15,767
The NYT reported the death was a suicide.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/sp...t-51.html?_r=0
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old Wed Oct 02, 2013, 03:31pm
certified Hot Mom tester
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: only in my own mind, such as it is
Posts: 12,918
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich View Post
The NYT reported the death was a suicide.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/sp...t-51.html?_r=0
This is a real heart breaker.
__________________
Yom HaShoah
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old Wed Oct 02, 2013, 03:34pm
Do not give a damn!!
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: On the border
Posts: 30,463
Too young.

Peace
__________________
Let us get into "Good Trouble."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Charles Michael “Mick” Chambers (1947-2010)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ncaaw bob jenkins Volleyball 5 Wed Aug 28, 2013 01:08pm
NCAAW -- Timer bob jenkins Soccer 2 Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:21am
Why not the same ref shirts? - NCAAW BearBoy Basketball 8 Wed Apr 04, 2007 09:55am
NCAAW Rule chayce Basketball 2 Sun Nov 27, 2005 05:14pm


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:31pm.



Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0 RC1