SAINT PAUL, Minn. – For his work and service in helping the NCHC through a difficult season last year, Mike Schmitt of Minot, N.D. has been named the eighth annual recipient of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award for the 2020-21-season, NCHC Director of Officiating Don Adam revealed on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Schmitt, who was born in Cando, N.D., recently completed his eighth season as an NCHC Supervisor of Officials. He was presented the Mark Rudolph Award in person last Saturday in St. Paul, Minn. at a ceremony attended by NCHC referees, regionally based linesmen from Minnesota, North Dakota and Nebraska, and NCHC staff. The presentation was part of NCHC Officiating Camp and was also attended by members of Schmitt’s family.

“I’ve known Schmitty longer than both of us might like to admit. We grew up in the WCHA together as referees and instructed together in USA Hockey’s National Officiating Program,” Adam said. “Mike was a great college and international referee and instructor, and he’s been equally good as an NCHC Supervisor. Mike is passionate about college hockey and the NCHC specifically. He does whatever is asked of him while maintaining his own high-level standard of professionalism and dedication. We’re very fortunate to have Mike in the NCHC!”

Following the 2013 conference realignment within college hockey, Schmitt was asked to join the NCHC as a Supervisor of Officials and quickly accepted the challenge. He has worked tirelessly to better the NCHC Officiating Program and has been able to attend games across NCHC campuses over the course of eight seasons. Schmitt serves as an instructor at the annual preseason NCHC Referee Camp held in St. Paul, Minn., as well as the Linesmen Camp in the same place each season. 

During the 2020-21 season, Schmitt’s service to the NCHC was invaluable as he served on two different committees, both of which were directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to last season’s start, he was a member of the NCHC’s Pod Steering Committee, helping plan the ‘Pod,’ as well as the Conference’s Health and Safety Competition Committee. In addition, Schmitt was present in Omaha, Neb. for the NCHC’s ‘Pod’ in Baxter Arena, where he supervised multiple games. Schmitt has also been a consistent contributor to the NCHC’s Movember movement, an effort that has raised over $70,000 to date for men’s health.

Off the ice, Schmitt, an outdoorsman and water enthusiast, has worked for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency since 1985. Schmitt joined the NCHC officiating staff as a Supervisor of Officials for its inaugural season in 2013-14, after enjoying a successful officiating career in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). When Schmitt is not tubing down a local river, he can likely be found on the golf course, at the shooting range, spending time with family, spoiling his four grandchildren, or mentoring young USA Hockey officials at local arenas.

Schmitt, who has previously served on the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee, had an expansive officiating career that included games worked for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the WCHA.  As Schmitt worked his way up through the USA Hockey ranks, he moved into the SJHL, which provided valuable experience within a high level of hockey. From there, he ventured into the WHL, while serving as an NHL trainee. But it was Schmitt’s progression into the WCHA that created his legacy as a one of the best college hockey officials during his 15 years working games.

Schmitt was impressively selected to work more than a dozen WCHA Final Five championship tournaments during his tenure. From there, Schmitt was nominated to referee multiple NCAA Regional Tournaments, ultimately advancing to the NCAA Frozen Four on seven occasions. Schmitt was chosen to referee two NCAA National Championship games in 1998 (Boston, Mass.) and 2001 (Albany, N.Y.), with both going to overtime –Michigan vs. Boston College in 1998 and Boston College vs. North Dakota in 2001.

Schmitt was also well known within the IIHF circles, as he worked the 1992 (Red Deer, Canada) and 1995 (Fussen, Germany) World Junior Championships, the 1996 (Copenhagen, Denmark) and 1998 (Vienna, Austria) Men’s World Championships, and the 1994 Spengler Cup, a prestigious professional tournament still held annually in Davos, Switzerland. As Schmitt was simultaneously working games at multiple levels, he also became a USA Hockey National Officiating Staff Instructor where he provided insight at multiple regional, select and advanced officiating camps.

“We are very fortunate to have Mike Schmitt as one of our officiating supervisors. He’s been with us since we began play and has helped establish our officiating program and the high level of officiating we expect from our staff,” said NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton. “Mike’s knowledge of the game and experience as a referee across several levels and leagues is very valuable to our officials. And the dedication he showed to the conference last season during a very challenging, pandemic-filled year was outstanding. From serving on committees to attending the Pod and making sure all games were properly staffed, Mike played a big role for us last season.”

Schmitt and his wife of 37 years, Beth, were married in Thief River Falls, Minn. and reside in Minot. They have two older sons: Brandon, a current NCHC Referee, and Bryce, a former standout player at Lake Superior State, and four grandchildren. Brandon and his wife, McKayla, have two children: Colson (2) and Kinley (11 months), while Bryce and his wife, Drew, also have two of their own; Kora (3) and Isla (8 months). The Schmitts take every opportunity to spend time with and spoil their four grandkids.

The NCHC’s Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award is named in honor of Mark Rudolph, a long-time official and distinguished administrator who resides in Colorado Springs and established USA Hockey’s National Officiating Program, among many other accomplishments. The award was officially established prior to the 2014-15 season.

Criteria for the Mark Rudolph Award recipient shall be an individual who, through dedicated effort and service, both on and off the ice, has achieved a distinguished accomplishment during the previous NCHC season, and who by his actions has significantly enhanced the NCHC and its officiating program.

The Mark Rudolph Award is presented to a member of the NCHC officiating staff following each season at one of the Conference’s officiating camps.

Past NCHC Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award Winners
2013-14 - John Philo
2014-15 - Paul Carnathan
2015-16 - Joe Sullivan
2016-17 - Timm Walsh
2017-18 - Ron Foyt
2018-19 - Justin Hills
2019-20 – Geno Binda
2020-21 - Mike Schmitt

--NCHCHockey.com--