The NCAA has appointed Jeff Fulton as the national coordinator of men’s hockey officials. He is set to begin his new position Sept. 1.
According to an NCAA press release, Fulton brings more than 30 years of experience in collegiate ice hockey officiating and administration to the position. As national coordinator of officials, Fulton will provide leadership for the recruitment, development, education, evaluation and selection of officials for NCAA men’s Division I and Division III hockey. He will work with conference coordinators, coaches, administrators and the NCAA Men’s Hockey Committee to strengthen officiating programs nationwide while promoting consistency in rules application, communication and championship standards.
“College hockey has provided me with incredible opportunities throughout my career, and I look forward to working with our conference coordinators, officials, coaches, administrators and NCAA committees to continue elevating officiating across the country,” Fulton said in a statement. “My vision is centered on communication, education, consistency, transparency and collaboration, while investing in the development of both current and future officials.”
Fulton most recently served as the NCAA men’s and women’s ice hockey secretary-rules editor, a position he has held since 2020. In that role, he served as the national interpreter of NCAA ice hockey rules, coordinated annual rules changes and editorial revisions, developed officiating education through the RefQuest platform, oversaw national rules meetings, administered annual rules examinations and worked closely with the NCAA Hockey Rules Committees to improve the playing rules and educational resources for the sport.
In addition to his national responsibilities, Fulton has held numerous leadership positions throughout collegiate hockey, including conference officiating coordinator, supervisor, assigner and replay official for more than 15 years. His extensive experience working with officials, conference coordinators and collegiate administrators has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing NCAA officiating.
Fulton has officiated at the highest levels of collegiate hockey throughout his career, including numerous NCAA championship assignments. He has also been instrumental in the development of officiating education programs, video review initiatives and national rules resources that have benefited officials, coaches and administrators across the NCAA.
Fulton will replace Frank Cole, who is stepping down after 27 years.