Providence’s New Rec Director Won’t Give Up Outside $180K Refereeing Job
Friday, May 15, 2015
The City of Providence admits that new Director of Recreation Michael Stephens will continue to officiate NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball -- which last year saw him referee 89 games over just 108 days. Stephens ranks as the 14th most prolific official of the 200 referees in the NCAA.
Last year he worked as the Deputy Recreation Director for the City of Providence. He has held that full-time position since 2013.
Over the course of the past four seasons, Stephens averaged travel to 23 states annually, and officiated over 340 games during the four-year span.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe four month period for Stephens that saw travel nearly non-stop directly overlaps with the busiest time of the Providence Recreation League when hundreds of boys and girls basketball games are played across the nine recreational facilities across the city. Approximately, 1,000 children in Providence play in the winter sports program across the city - the rec program's busiest season.
Stephens, who has been a NCAA ref since 2000, worked mostly Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Big East conference games last season, according to information contained on StatSheet.com.
"The going rate for top-tier college basketball refs ranges from $1,000 to $2,500, plus travel and food expenses. The Post-Standard put the fee at as much as $3,000 for a Big East or Atlantic Coast Conference game," wrote Vera Chan for Yahoo Sports in 2013.
If Stephens refereed sixty games at the $1,500 mark -- and just under 30 at $3,000 -- he would have made just under $180,000 for games alone last season, not counting travel and food reimbursement. In reviewing Stephen 2014-2015 games, he officiated 50 top conference, top match-up out-of-conference games and NCAA tournament games.
Non-Stop Travel and National Games
See all the games below.
The City would not elaborate on how -- or if -- Stephens plans to continue a schedule that last season saw him with a schedule officiating games the majority of each week outside of the state, while serving as Deputy Director of Recreation.
In a two week span this past winter, Stephens officiated NCAA games in the following locations : Pittsburgh, PA on Saturday February 14; Bronx, NY on Sunday February 15; Villanova, PA on Monday February 16; Washington DC on Tuesday February 17; Syracuse, NY on Wednesday February 18; Memphis, TN on Thursday February 19; Greenville, NC on Saturday February 21; Auburn, AL on Tuesday February 24; Winston-Salem, NC on Wednesday February 25; and Cincinnati, OH on Saturday February 28.
"Michael has the opportunity to continue his esteemed work with the NCAA while serving in his capacity as Director of Recreation," said Elorza Press Secretary Evan England. "Michael has consistently exceeded the requirements of all positions he has held with the City and we expect only the same diligence and dedication in the future."
The Elorza administration only responded to questions about Stephen’s outside income and nearly non-stop travel after numerous requests. It did not provide salary information for Stephen's Deputy position, or his new position as Director.
Stephens, who received the Key to the City of Providence from Elorza on April 9 following his national NCAA title game appearance, was named to the post of city Recreation Director on April 21.
Stephens has worked for the City of Providence for 18 years. He is one of the founders of the Rhode Island Breakers AAU basketball program, coached at the Davey Lopes Recreation Center and has served as President of the West Elmwood Intruders Youth Football Team.
The Providence Recreation Department oversees nine recreation centers in the city, and includes basketball leagues and after-school programs during the school year, in addition camps and swimming during the summer.
When reached, Stephens did not comment.
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