Marlborough, Mass.- The NEWMAC is joining the NCAA in celebrating Officials Appreciation Week throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. This marks the fourth year of the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) initiative to highlight and thank conference officials across all sports.
Over the course of this week, the NEWMAC will spotlight several of its long-time spring officials. Today, we recognize baseball (and basketball) official Pat "Sparky" Burns.
Institution Attended and College Sport(s) Played (if applicable):
Robert Morris College, Pittsburgh, Pa., NCAA Division I Baseball
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pa. BS Business Administration/Marketing, and MS Sport Science/Sport Management
Director of Athletics Office Student Assistant and Men’s Basketball Graduate Assistant
How long have you been officiating?
Basketball- 49 years (since 1977 men’s & women’s collegiate, international, post-graduate, prep school, interscholastic, AAU, grade school).
Baseball- 43 years (since 1983 professional, international, collegiate, semi-pro, prep school, interscholastic)
Where/how did you get your start as an official?
A Pittsburgh native, John McGrane and Tom Hughes provided my start in basketball officiating and baseball umpiring. Tom umpired and officiated my games. John assigned officials and umpires throughout Pittsburgh and was my American Legion Baseball coach. He organized a Diocese of Pittsburgh 8th-grade boys basketball tournament that lasted 65 years. That was my basketball start. The Pittsburgh City League was my baseball start. I was introduced to others who offered assistance in promoting my progression through the various levels of each sport in the Pittsburgh area, Indiana, Pa. region, while attending IUP, and later when I moved to the Boston area.
Why did you decide to become an official?
I found the coordinated movement of the officials on the basketball court interesting. Basketball was a way to remain active after high school. Baseball umpiring was a means to remain in the game after playing and learn the sport from a different perspective, starting with pro ball.
What do you enjoy about being an official in the NEWMAC?
I have met many interesting people, having officiated men’s basketball and umpiring baseball in the NEWMAC. There have been pleasant experiences away from the court and field.
What would you tell someone who is considering officiating?
Pursue your interest by contacting local organizations for the sport you’re considering. Select a few individuals to be your mentor with the rulebook, mechanics, unwritten techniques as well as administratively with apparel and equipment, memberships, receiving game assignments, finances, travel, and marketing yourself. Understand that the official/umpire’s knowledge and insight are different from those of a fan. You will now learn the sport from a different perspective. For ideal opportunities, make yourself as available as possible to receive game assignments, keeping family and employment in perspective.
What other work do you do outside of officiating?
My career has been in athletics administration with harness racing, clothing & souvenir merchandise, facility management, intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 20 sports.