CCIW Hires New Women's Basketball Officials Assignor

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) commissioner Chris Martin on Thursday announced the hiring of Al Raya as the conference’s new Assignor of Officials for women’s basketball.

Raya, originally from Waukegan, Ill., brings a wealth of officiating experience to the CCIW. He currently assigns for the Midwest Conference, and has been an official at the high school or collegiate level for the past 37 years. In addition, Raya serves as the coordinator of the Midwest Referee School and also works as an optician in Chicago.

“The CCIW is extremely excited about the hiring of Al Raya as the new officials assignor for women’s basketball,” Martin said. “He brings a tremendous amount of experience to the job and will no doubt be a great asset to the conference.”

Raya has also assigned for the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament and has been an officials observer for the Horizon League, Mid-Continent Conference and the WABL.

“It is important for officials to be educated in women’s basketball and to be in shape,” Raya said. “I recommend to my officials that they attend women’s collegiate camps and to be in shape. If they don’t do these things, then they won’t work in this conference.”

Raya is also looking to bring a host of new officials into the CCIW, including women and minorities.

“I think everyone in the CCIW will be excited by all of the new faces,” he said. “It’s important to include women and minorities in your pool of officials.”

Raya currently resides in Chicago and has two children and six grandchildren with a seventh on the way.