Steve Bamford has been working as an administrative overseer at the ECAC since October 2012. He 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 named interim commissioner. In 2007, Rudy Keeling was hired as commissioner, and Bamford was named the senior associate commissioner, a position he held through 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, N.H. He was responsible for 18 intercollegiate varsity sports and 430 student-athletes at the NCAA Division III level and oversaw a $1.3 million annual budget. During his tenure, Plymouth State varsity programs combined for a winning percentage of over 60 percent. In 1996, Bamford initiated the NCAA Champs Life Skills Program, and also proposed and implemented women’s volleyball as the school’s 18th varsity sport.
Over the course of his professional career, Bamford has served on various NCAA, ECAC and officiating committees. In 1985, he was inducted as a charter member of the Plymouth State College Athletic Hall of Fame.
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.
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.
Steve Bamford currently serves as the Special Assistant to ECAC Commissioner Dr. Kevin T. McGinniss.
ABOUT THE ECAC
In the 76 years since its inception, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has emerged as the nation's largest Conference. The ECAC has grown considerably from its charter membership of 58, boasting over 300 member schools in Divisions I, II and III, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. In the 2015-16 academic year, the ECAC will host nearly 100 championships in 32 men’s and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 male and female Players. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay updated on the latest news, championships and more by connecting with the ECAC on Facebook (ECACSports), Twitter (@ECACSports) and Instagram (@ECACSports).