The ECAC Mourns the Passing of Former Commissioner Steve Bamford
DANBURY, Conn. – The ECAC family lost an icon this week with the passing of former Commissioner Steve Bamford.
Steve started at the ECAC in 2000 as an Assistant Commissioner and held that post until 2006. After the departure of then Commissioner Phil Buttafuoco, Bamford was elevated to Interim Commissioner. The following year he moved to named Senior Associate Commissioner when the ECAC hired Rudy Keeling as Commissioner. He held that position on a full-time basis through 2009 and as a part-time employee until his retirement in 2011. During his time at the ECAC, Bamford has been responsible for the leadership and management of the ECAC Officiating Bureau. In that capacity, he served as supervisor for 5,200 officials in 14 officiating bureaus, coordinating 46,000 officiating assignments annually. He was also the liaison to the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association.
Prior to his stint at the ECAC, Bamford served as the Director of Athletics for 13 years at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Before arriving at Plymouth State, Bamford worked in public school administration. He was the principal at Hampton Academy Junior High School from 1984 to 1987 and the associate principal at Winnacunnet High School from 1975 to 1984.
Bamford was the first 1,000 point scorer in basketball at Oyster River High School in New Hampshire, He began his career as a teacher and a coach, working at Littleton High School (1965-68), St. Thomas Aquinas High School (1968-70) and Concord High School (1970-75).
Bamford is a 1965 graduate of Plymouth State with a degree in physical education. He went on to receive a master’s degree from the PSC in 1975, majoring in public school administration and supervision.
Chairman of the ECAC Board of Directors Jay Moran said “Steve Bamford was an ECAC legend. He worked every day to provide the best experiences for our members and their student-athletes. He spent years offering clinics, working with assignors, to obtain the best officiating services. Steve was a mentor and more importantly a friend. We shared many laughs together. My thoughts and prayers go out to Donna and the entire Bamford family. I will miss “Bam Bam”’
Our thoughts are with the Bamford family at this time.
ABOUT THE ECAC
The ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) is an eighty-four-year-old organization with well over 200 member schools across all three NCAA Divisions - I, II and III. The ECAC exists to enhance the experience of student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics and provides great value for universities and colleges by sponsoring championships, leagues, bowl games, tournaments and other competitions throughout the Northeast. The ECAC's esports platform is growing and now totals more than sixty colleges and universities and is expanding the geographic footprint for the conference nationally. The ECAC is also sponsoring competitions and leagues involving other varsity and club sports that do not fall under the umbrella of the NCAA.
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