NEW YORK – Don Vaden has been named the NBA’s Vice President, Director of Officials, it was announced today by Joel Litvin, NBA President, League Operations. Vaden will succeed Bernie Fryer as Director of Officials and will be responsible for the day-to-day management and on-court performance of the officiating staff, reporting to Ron Johnson, NBA Senior Vice President, Officiating.

“Bernie will remain an integral part of the referee operations staff,” Litvin said.  “However, he has battled health issues that, while under control, make him better suited for a development role that will require less travel.  In Don Vaden, we are fortunate to have an experienced former referee who has worked in our officiating program for the past nine years and is fully prepared to assume Bernie’s role as manager of our referees.”

In his 15-season officiating career with the NBA, Vaden officiated 854 Regular Season games and 59 Playoffs and Finals games before retiring in 2002.   Over the past nine years, Vaden has served in various management roles in the NBA’s officiating program and has served as the director of officiating at numerous NBA summer leagues, training NBA and NBA D-League referees.

In his role as Director, Referee Development, Fryer will mentor and evaluate NBA officials and scout potential new officials.