FAIRMONT, W. Va. - The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) has announced the recipients of the third annual Excellence in Officiating Awards. The awards represent a pioneering effort to recognize outstanding officials across NCAA Division II. 
The awards recognize one male and one female official in each of the eight NCAA Division II championship regions (Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, Southeast, South Central, and West), regardless of sport. Regional winners were selected by a vote of conference commissioners from outside each region.
“Receiving this award is truly an honor,” said Colleen Thompson. “I’m incredibly grateful to the Mountain East Conference for the opportunities, relationships, and support throughout my officiating journey. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and giving back to a game that has given me so much.”
Thompson, who is entering her 16th year as an official, was the crew chief for the 2026 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship Game in what was her second appearance at the Division II Elite Eight. She has officiated five NCAA Division II regional tournaments in the Atlantic and Midwest regions and has worked eight MEC Basketball Tournaments, including five semifinal assignments and three championship games.
Her résumé also includes assignments at the 2025 and 2026 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), the 2018 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Final Four, and two Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) girls basketball state championship games during her time as a high school official.
“The Mountain East Conference takes great pride in the standards set within our officiating programs, and Colleen represents the very best of our league and of our officials,” said MEC Commissioner Reid Amos. “Her record of high-level assignments, including this year’s Division II championship game, is an important part of her story, but only part of it. What shines through with Colleen is her professionalism and the respect she has earned from her peers, coaches, student-athletes, and the league. This award was created to recognize the very best in Division II, and I am proud that my peers have chosen to recognize Colleen for her outstanding contributions to the Mountain East and beyond.”
“Colleen is the consummate professional, both on and off the basketball court,” said the MEC’s Supervisor of Officials for women’s basketball Brad McMillion. “She continues to learn and lead, while making the game and the people involved with it better. I am thrilled she has been selected for this award and I am honored that she represents our MEC staff. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
About D2 CCA
The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA), initiated in 1992 following the breakup of the College Division Commissioners Association, promotes its member conferences and institutions, provides a united front for NCAA Division II athletics, advocates for policy changes, and fosters communication. The association is dedicated to high standards of sportsmanship, student-athlete advocacy, and honoring academic and competitive excellence. Administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the D2 CCA also sponsors major initiatives like the D2 CCA Tip-Off Classic and annual All-America teams. For more information, please visit D2CCA.com
About the MEC
The Mountain East Conference features 12 NCAA Division II member colleges and universities located in four states. The league sponsors 23 NCAA championship sports. MEC teams have won six NCAA team national championships, have played in 14 NCAA Championship games, and won 59 regional championships. MEC student-athletes also excel in the classroom, with 2,933 earning academic recognition in 2025-26. The league has also produced 11 NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award winners, recognizing the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average who has reached the site of the finals for each of the NCAA's men's and women's championships across its three divisions. The Mountain East Conference is headquartered in Fairmont, West Virginia. Visit mountaineast.org to learn more.