Don Nardecchia was a member of the Bay Area Officials Association for 40 years, from 1977-2017. He was elected to the Executive Board three times, serving 3-year terms each time. Throughout his time in the association, he held many positions, including Vice President, President, Past President, mechanics interpreter, and rules interpreter. Don began his officiating career for basketball in 1977. He completed his first varsity basketball game in Feb 1978 at New London against Black River High School. In the summer of 1978, Don began his football officiating career, completing his first varsity game in 1979 as a Back Judge at Port Clinton against Bellevue High School. He spent 37 years officiating basketball. He earned eight regional and many boys’ post-season assignments throughout his career. Don also worked his final three seasons with JV officials teaching them 3-man mechanics. He created the Bay Area 3-man officiating clinic in June 1997. This clinic was designed to introduce officials to 3-man mechanics at no cost. It ran as a way to ‘pay it forward,’ and Don organized it for 14 years. He spent ten years as a collegiate Women’s basketball official from 1991-2001, serving in 3 leagues. 

Don began his football officiating career in 1979 and officiated for 38 years. He spent 29 years as a back judge, nine years as a line judge, and a referee whenever needed. He worked on the same crew for 32 years with Keith Newton and Rick Jeffery. His first post-season assignment was in November 1985 at Bellevue, where Seneca East faced off against St. Joe High School. Don worked 45 post-season assignments. He served on the North Coast Football Officials Clinic committee for ten years and as a breakout lead official for six of the ten years. This clinic began with only six campers and six clinicians. In time they grew to nearly 225 campers, along with 36 pro, collegiate, and high school clinicians outgrowing high school and college venues until they held the clinic at the Cleveland Browns indoor training facility. Don’s highest honor was representing Ohio officials at the 2005 Big 33 Football Classic at Historic Hersheypark Stadium.