Veteran NCAA Basketball Official Tony Chiazza To Speak At Light Of The Valley Luncheon
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A veteran NCAA basketball official who has worked conference championships and NCAA tournaments — and also is a Wheeling native and former YMCA employee — will be the guest speaker at the upcoming Light of the Valley luncheon.
Tony Chiazza, who has spent 26 years in officiating, including 21 at the NCAA Division I level, will appear at the luncheon scheduled for noon Aug. 26 at Wheeling Park’s White Palace. The luncheon will honor Dr. Ricardo Zambito, this year’s recipient of the Dr. Lee Jones Patron of Youth Award from the Wheeling YMCA.
Wheeling YMCA Executive Director Adam Shinsky said it is a unique opportunity to have Chiazza speak, especially considering his origins. Chiazza was a former YMCA program director before climbing the ranks of college basketball officiating.
“He’s been at the top of that profession for the last several years,” Shinsky said. “It’s a very unique profession, so I’m really looking forward to hearing him speak.”
His journey in the profession began in 2000 at age 20, when he began officiating games in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, now the Mountain East Conference. He currently serves as supervisor of officials for both the MEC and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
On the Division I level, Chiazza has officiated games in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 Conference, Big East Conference, and Southeastern Conference. His work has taken him across the country to games in the America East Conference, American Athletic Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, Coastal Athletic Association, Conference USA, Metro Conference, Northeast Conference, Patriot League, Ivy League, and West Coast Conference.
Chiazza has been selected to work 11 straight NCAA men's basketball tournaments, including five Sweet 16s and one Elite Eight. He has also officiated 12 straight Big East men's basketball tournaments, including the 2025 Big East Tournament Championship. Early in his career, he officiated the 2010 NCAA Division III national title game.
"We always look for someone who can tell an interesting story and who has been successful," Shinsky said. "There are so many great speakers, but Tony has actually been employed by the Y. He knows how important the Wheeling YMCA is for the community."
This Light of the Valley luncheon will be the first following the major renovations that have happened at the Wheeling YMCA's Elm Grove location, a $7 million project that included a new, larger second-floor fitness center, an indoor walking/running track, expanded childcare facilities and an updated gymnasium.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting Shinsky at the Wheeling YMCA at 304-242-8086.