NEW HAVEN, Conn. (September 3, 2026) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game officials Michael LoPresti and Cheryl Anstotz are among the 16 recipients of the 2026 Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association Excellence in Officiating Awards. LoPresti, a bowling official, and Anstotz, a lacrosse official, are the male and female honorees, respectively, from the East Region.
The Excellence in Officiating Awards represent a pioneering effort to recognize outstanding referees across NCAA Division II. The awards were presented to one male and one female official in each Division II championship region -- based on the gender of the official, regardless of the sport officiated – for making significant contributions to the advancement of officiating in Division II.
LoPresti has been a key figure in the development of women’s bowling as a CACC championship sport. The head official for the last three conference championship tournaments, LoPresti has also consulted on the CACC operating codes and championship manual and mentored younger officials. He was assigned as the assistant official of the Rochester Regional of the 2024 NCAA National Collegiate Championship. Prior to joining the officiating ranks, LoPresti was the head women’s bowling coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University, winning more than 1600 matches and two national championships from 2002-23.
“Michael has been instrumental in raising the standard of women’s bowling not only within the CACC but across our entire region,” said CACC Commissioner Dan Mara. “His transition from a championship-winning coach to a top-tier official highlights his deep dedication to the sport and the student-athletes. This recognition by the D2 CCA is well-deserved, and we are incredibly proud to have him representing the CACC.”
A college lacrosse official for 26 years, Anstotz has been selected to work three NCAA national semifinals, twice in Division II (2013, 2021) and in 2014 for Division III. She has earned several high-level Division I assignments, most recently the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship, and for the last 11 years has been a College Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association mentor and clinician. Anstotz has been the high school ratings chair for West Jersey Chapter 5 since 2010.
“Cheryl is a diligent and dedicated women’s lacrosse official who has served this game with passion and a thirst to constantly improve herself on the field,” said Julie Waicus, assignor of CACC women’s lacrosse officials. “She truly loves the game and fosters the growth of the younger generation of officials.”
In addition to the Excellence in Officiating Awards initiative, the D2 CCA created Officials Appreciation Weeks to acknowledge officials across all sports seasons and the Collegiate P2R (Player-to-Ref) Program which targets recently-graduated student-athletes about the rewarding opportunities in sports officiating. These strategic programs are aimed at transforming the landscape of sports officiating and addressing current challenges.
Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 21 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – seven for men, 10 for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.