Paronto hired as RMAC Coordinator of Baseball Officials
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has hired Jim Paronto to be the league’s new Coordinator of Baseball Officials, as announced by RMAC Commissioner Chris Graham.
“Jim’s experience and knowledge in collegiate baseball places him among the most highly regarded administrators in the NCAA,” Graham said. “His intimate knowledge of the RMAC and Rocky Mountain region make him a considerable asset to our baseball officiating, and his personal attention to our officials will elevate their performance.”
Paronto is both a veteran of the RMAC and the Rocky Mountain region. He’s currently the Umpire Coordinator for the Mountain West Conference, a position he’d held since 2004.
Paronto began umpiring at the junior college and NCAA Division II level in 1973 and has umpired for a number of conferences and organizations, including the Mountain West, Pac-10, Western Athletic Conference and West Coast Conference. He’s worked the National Junior College World Series 15 times and the Connie Mack World Series nine times.
“It’s an honor to be selected for this position,” Paronto said. “I’m looking forward to working with a great group of conference coaches and administrations, and leading the core of umpires in 2016 and beyond. Having served as an administrator at the RMAC, it’s an honor to come back and work with this group into the future.”
His experience with the RMAC comes from his time at Colorado Mesa (Mesa State College at the time), where he worked from 1990-1998. He began his Mesa career as the Head Football Coach and Assistant Director of Athletics from 1990-1993. He then moved into the Director of Athletics position from 1994-1998.
Before his time at Mesa, Paronto was also involved with Adams State's athletic department. He served as the Head Baseball Coach from 1973-1976 before becoming the Director of Athletics in 1977-80 while also moving into the Head Football Coach position.