Schmitt was named NCHC Director of Officiating on June 1, 2023. He previously served as an officiating supervisor for the NCHC since its inaugural season in 2013-14. Prior to that, Schmitt spent 15 seasons in the WCHA as an on-ice official, with 13 of those years coming as a referee.
Schmitt earned the
NCHC's Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award in 2021 for his work with the conference. During his collegiate career he was selected to referee seven NCAA Frozen Four Championships, 11 NCAA Regional tournaments and 12 WCHA Final Five Championships. Additionally, Schmitt officiated a pair of NCAA National Championship games.
While he excelled as a collegiate referee, his experience is not limited to just that. In international hockey Schmitt was selected to officiate two International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) “A Pool” (top level) World Junior Championships, two IIHF “A Pool” Men’s World Championships and the prestigious Spengler Cup (professional tournament in Switzerland). In addition, he spent 12 years as a USA Hockey National Staff Instructor within the officiating program.
Schmitt resides in Minot, N.D. with his wife, Beth.